DHAKA: BNP-led 20-party alliance demanded immediate arrest of post, telecommunications and information technology minister Abdul Latif Siddique for his controversial remarks.

They also demanded his suspension from all government and party posts as well as a stern punishment.

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was addressing a press conference at his party headquarters in city’s Nayapaltan area on Wednesday.

The spokesperson for the party said his party standing committee vehemently opposed Siddiqui’s anti-religion statements.

According to him, the remarks of the minister hurt people’s sentiment. It has also unmasked the real face of the ruling Awami League.

He also demanded an immediate arrest of the minister.

Fakhrul said the incumbent government has ordered the administration to enhance the level of suppression on the BNP leaders and activists.

Besides, the government is also interfering in the judiciary, he claimed.

The BNP leader also demanded the immediate releases of all opposition leaders, including Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Amir Abdul Halim and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Habibur Rashid Habib from jail as well as the withdrawal of false cases against them.

Fakhrul said people of the country want an acceptable election.

If the government does not arrange elections, the people will compel them to resign from power by staging mass movement and establish a people’s government, he lamented.

BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) secretary general Mustafa Jamal Haider, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) secretary general Lutfur Rahman, Democratic League general secretary Saifuddin Moni and Jamaat-e-Islami working council member Dr Redwan Ullah Saidee were among others present at the press meet.

BDST: 1540 HRS, OCT 01, 2014