Awami League general secretary Zillur Rahman yesterday blasted BNP for calling hartal on Sunday "on the plea of rigging” in Thursday's Pabna-2 byelection. reports UNB.

In a statement, he said the by-election result was the reflection of people's confidence in the Awami League government's commitment to ensure their rights to vote and food. It also reflected the development aspiration of the people, he added.

Welcoming the "verdict of the people" of Bera-Sujanagar constituency, he said rejecting the results and calling hartal are part of a pre-planned conspiracy and negative politics of BNP.

The LGRD and Cooperatives Minister congratulated the Election Commission, polling officials and employees and members of the law enforcing agencies for conducting a neutral election.

Terming BNP's allegation of rigging as false, fabricated and motivated, he said. They (BNP) are now accusing others as they could not forget the vote rigging by them in the past."

Zillur expressed resentment over the hartal programme and urged BNP to withdraw it.

He also called upon the countrymen to reject the "illogical" hartal if BNP does not withdraw it.