Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday said Awami League’s threat to file a lawsuit against Khaleda Zia is nothing but the outcome of the ruling party’s ‘threat culture’.

Addressing a press conference at BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan, he said AL general secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday threatened to file a case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia if she fails to show the evidence of corruption in the Padma Bridge project or does not withdraw her remarks.

“The AL general secretary’s such remark is nothing but the outcome of AL’s threat culture,” Rizvi added.

“As they (AL men) got indulged in corruption, they issued threats for gagging the voice of people…no democratic government issues threats in reaction to any criticism,” Rizvi said.

He said why did the World Bank withdraw its fund from the Padma Bridge project had there been no corruption? Why was Abul Hossain fired from the cabinet? And why were some officials, including a secretary, arrested?”

Turing to the distribution of free textbooks, the BNP leader alleged that many schools are not getting the books unless they pay money though the free textbook distribution festival was observed.

He claimed that textbook distribution festival was celebrated by providing each student with only one book in some schools. “Such deception must go.”

About the party’s January 5 programme, Rizvi said BNP has completed its preparation to observe ‘democracy killing day’ on the day.

Awami League came to power for the second consecutive term through the 10th parliamentary elections held on January 5, 2014 which was boycotted by BNP as its demand for a neutral caretaker government went unheeded.

Rizvi said, “We hope good sense will prevail upon the government and the administration. No barrier will be created towards holding the programmes.”

BNP joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and organising secretary Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu were, among others, present at the press conference.