BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday warned the ruling party leaders including Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam to be courteous in their use of words against leader of the opposition Begum Khaleda Zia. Posing a question Delwar wanted to know how criticisms against the government can go against the country?" He asked Syed Ashraful Islam to remain careful in future about use of words against thrice elected Prime Minister.

Addressing a protest a rally, organised by Jatiyabadi Muktijodha Dal in front of the party's central office demanding withdrawal of false cases against Tarique Rahman, the BNP secretary general said Syed Ashraful Islam termed Khaleda Zia's speech as anti-state. BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia recently said the present government might have to quit power before its tenure in the face of people's movement for its failures in different sectors.

Delwar said government's resignation before completing its term in the face of people's movement is not unprecedented. The present government, he said might have to quit power before completion of its 5-year term if people so want. He was bitterly critical of the government for its repression and filing false cases against leaders and activists of BNP. Sohrab Uddin, Muktijodha Dal president, presided over the meeting while it was addressed, among others, by Muktijodda Dal leader Kamal Farayeji, Abdul Majid, Harun-ur-Rashid, Sechchasebak Dal secretary Sharfat Ali Sapu and JCD leader Shahidul Islam Babul.

Earlier, a joint meeting of BNP was held at the party's central office with Khandaker Delwar in the chair. The meeting decided to arrange a protest rally demanding removal of cases against Tarique Rahman on October 31 in front of the party's central office. BNP leader Sarwari Begum, Altaf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Fazlur Rahman Patal, among others, were present.

-New Nation