DHAKA: Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Syed Ashraful Islam on Tuesday said BNP is a harmful power rather than a political party.

The information minister came up with assertion at city’s Institution of Engineers in the afternoon.

He said BNP is a platform where all wrong doers get together.

He also said the nation was divided by the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “We are trying to unite the nation again,” he said.

Syed Ashraf criticized the fake birthday celebration of BNP chief Khaleda Zia on the National Mourning Day.

The minister said Khaleda Zia did not recognize Bangladesh and won’t in future.

The ruling Awami League lawmaker also said the nation would never forgive them those who celebrate her fake birthday on August 15.

He also suggested Khaleda to refrain of celebrating her birthday for the sake of national mourning day.

BDST: 1920 HRS, AUG 12, 2014