Grassroots BNP leaders in Rajshahi were not allowed to speak in a meeting with central BNP leaders yesterday after a Rajshahi leader observed on the trial of war criminals that BNP should not take responsibility of others' crimes.

The central leaders were busy praising Tarique Rahman instead of letting them speak.

They were not allowed to speak after Wasim Hossain, president of Rajshahi unit of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh, in the meeting said BNP must clarify its stance on the trial of war criminals. "There are no permanent friends and foes in politics. We don't want to take responsibility of crimes committed by others. We want trial of war criminals," he said.

After that, party leaders were repeatedly instructing grassroots leaders not to chant any slogans except those praising Tarique Rahman, son of BNP chief Khaleda Zia.

Several field-level BNP leaders told The Daily Star that they were invited to the meeting held at Rajshahi Zila Parishad auditorium to exchange views with central leaders on different party issues. But none of them were allowed to speak.

"We did not get any directives, except for words in praise ofTarique Rahman, "said one of them.

BNP's standing committee member MK Anwar attended the meeting as the chief guest. Rajshahi Bar Association President Abul Kashem presided over the meeting and Opposition Chief Whip Zainal Abdin Farroque was the special guest.

MK Anwar in his speech said BNP wants to support the trial of war criminals. "But BNP would resist the move for the trial if the government wants to have political vengeance against the opposition."

The meeting was jointiy conducted by BNP's Organising Secretary Mizanur Rahman Minu, Harunur Rashid and former deputy minister Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu.

Barrister Aminul Haque, Aman Ullah Aman, Fazlur Rahman, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury, Selima Rahman and Moazzem Hossain Alai were present.

Some 2,300 grassroots leaders and workers from Rajshahi, Natore, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Natore and Pabna districts attended the meeting with some 800 invited professionals, party sources said.