BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that not only India but also a few political parties, including those who opposed the Liberation War in 1971, are trying to fish in troubled waters to secure their own political gains.

“Now, not only a neighbouring country is spreading propaganda and misinformation and trying to stigmatise (the BNP), but also one or two political parties from within the country are trying to fish in troubled waters to make their political gains,” he said after paying homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

Rizvi spoke to reporters after placing wreaths at Zia’s grave, accompanied by the leaders and workers of Jatiyatabadi Rickshaw-Van-Auto Sramik Dal.

He said all democratic political forces should be united at this time, but a few parties are trying to divide these forces solely for their own political interests.

Rizvi criticised the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami for their remarks that one party of extortionists has escaped, and people do not want to see another party of extortionists.

“Don't we understand who you mean by this? The day after August 5, we saw how you took control of the Islamic banks .People witnessed it, but now you're talking tall,” the BNP leader said.

He said banks were looted during Sheikh Hasina's tenure, but many banks have also have been taken over by the successors of S Alam after August 5.

Rizvi said the followers of an Islamist political party grabbed Islami Bank following the political changeover in August this year."

In an indirect reference to Jamaat, he said the party is now attempting to defame BNP, even though its followers have taken control of various things, including terminals and CNG stands, and have been involved in tender manipulation.

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"I would like to say that political party is quietly indulging in all sorts of misdeeds. The people witnessed how you embezzled banks after the fall of Sheikh Hasina,” the BNP leader said.

He also said the people of the country are well aware of which party is associated with sharp weapons and the cutting of tendons.

“You opposed the Liberation War in 1971, but Ziaur Rahman proclaimed the Independence…  You joined Ershad's elections with Sheikh Hasina in 1986, betraying people,” the BNP leader said.

Rizvi said Moyeenuddin-Fakhruddin took over power following the political changeover in 2007 to destroy democracy and establish a harsh autocratic rule like Sheikh Hasina. 'You also forced (BNP) to join the election under their regime at that time,” he said.

“You (Jamaat) do politics in the name of Islam. But Islam does not condone repeated betrayal. BNP has never backed down from its commitment to people. From 1971 to August 5, BNP has never bowed its head down on the issue of democracy,'" he said.

Rizvi also criticised the Jamaat leaders for their comments about improving relations with India and pardoning Sheikh Hasina and her party.

“You want to improve relations with India. This neighbouring country was complicit in all the incidents of killing and enforced disappearances under Sheikh Hasina,” he said.

The BNP leader said key Jamaat leaders were removed from politic by the Hasina government through extrajudicial killings. “Even after that, you would forgive Sheikh Hasina and seek better ties with India. This shows that you care little about fairness and justice.”

He said Jamaat is offering forgiveness to the Awami League and expressing willingness to improve ties with India, even though neither has asked for it. “Doesn’t this amount to betrayal of your own blood?”

Rizvi said the July revolution was the result of 16 years of uninterrupted movement by BNP and other democratic parties.

He claimed that 97 workers were martyred during the July-August movement to oust Sheikh Hasina.