Online Desk: Former minister and BNP Vice Chairman Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has trashed allegation that he was a key person in forming the kings party Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM).

He rejected the accusation in a press briefing held at his Banani residence on Tuesday.

Hafiz said amid dull political activities due to holy Ramadan a photograph of him with Shakib Al Hasan (cricketer-turned MP) has created some ripples.

He said cashing in on the picture a few newspapers have been writing imaginary reports that have tarnished his image as a politician who served six times as a member of parliament (MP) and two times as a minister.

He said during his 37 years of political life “I had good relation with both electronic and print media journalists and respect for them ”

“Nevertheless a few journalists who are not known to me and vice versa are publishing news which are puzzle ling to me as well as to my party and supporters,” he added.

“I got a proposal to form a political party before the January 7 election. They brought Shakib Al Hasan to me but I did not influence him to join the party,” claimed Hafiz.

He asserted that he did nothing wrong.

“Did I join the BNM? Did I break the BNP? ” he asked admitting that “it is clear that I got a proposal to join the party. But I rejected that. Now they are spreading rumors confusing my party and my supporters.”

Stating that a few retired army officers advised him to form a new political party, the BNP leader said, “I told them there is no shortcut to politics.”

Hafiz said before January 7 election some important politicians from the ruling party started to make contact with him. “They noted I have differing view on BNP’s policy making process. They assumed that I am eager to leave the BNP.”

He said he told them after 32 years it is impossible for him to leave the party. Besides “I told them I am not good physically. Within a short time, I will retire from politics.”

Major Hafiz said he made it clear at a press briefing that he will remain with BNP after former Information minister said he will join BNM.

Mentioning that three or four retired army officers formed the BNM, he said they brought Shakin Al Hasan to him and he (Shakib) expressed his interest to join politics.

Hafiz said “I told Shakib it’s up to you. You are still playing but think more about politics. Without getting any support from me, he left the place.”

“It is not realistic that a party will get EC registration with my phone call. And I did not say anything. Those who  did it you know,” Major Hafiz said  replying to a reporter’s query.
Replying to another question he said BNP held no party council. “I talked about the issue several times. But I never said anything unpleasant about Begum Khaleda Zia.”