Ruling Awami League yesterday claimed that BNP called for the hartal to obstruct the trial of war criminals and create anarchy, not on the issue of the caretaker government system.

"Khaleda Zia enforced the hartal neither for the caretaker system nor to protest against issues, like power crisis and price hike of essentials, rather to protect the war criminals, hinder trial proceedings of rKVM rAUC A

her [Khaleda's) two sons facing corruption charges and development activities in the country," said Awami League General Secretary SyedAshraful Islam.

Addressing a press briefing at party chief's political office in Dhanmondi, Ashraf said the BNP chief does not believe in the caretaker government system.

Ashraf, also the LGRD and cooperatives minister, alleged that without provocation, the BNP called for the hartal and set fire to at least 16 buses in the capital and tried to kill a policeman inRajshahi.

The BNP chief would have to shoulder the responsibility for the countrywide violence and anarchy created in the name of hartal, he said.

Had the BNP joined the discussion on constitutional amendment with the special committee, this crisis would not have developed.

He also said he hopes that the opposition leader would join parliament and place her formula on the caretaker government system, if she has any. The special committee would place its final report before the House soon and after thorough debate on the matter a final decision would be made.

It is parliament which would do whatever necessary on the issue to make the next general election free, fair and credible, he said.

Referring to Khaleda Zia's Friday press conference, he said, "She demands restoration of the caretaker government system but she said she won't accept immediate past chief Justice Khairul Haque as chief adviser. Isn't it duplicity and double standards?"

Justice Khairul would be the chief adviser if the caretaker government system remains, Ashraf said, adding that rejecting the Supreme Court verdict is tantamount to contempt of the highest court.

He alleged that the opposition leader held secret meetings with absconding war criminals during her recent visit to the USA and the UK.