BNP leaders yesterday rejected the ruling Awami league's sedition allegations against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia over her January 30 Washington Times article.

"Khaleda Zia drew the attention of friends to save Bangladesh's democracy, nothing else,” they told a procession Swechhasebak Dal organised in Naya Paltan in the capital demanding unconditional release of BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed said desiring moral support from well-wishers for the country and democracy, not for BNP, at a time when Bangladeshis were trying to save democracy was not sedition.

AL very indecentiy criticised the article and Khaleda in parliament as it indicated the government's weak points. It is not sedition when a person criticizes the government's role, he said.

AL President Sheikh Hasina, while in the opposition, visited the USA and made several allegations against the BNP government, he said, adding that the government was pushing the country towards anarchy and AL would be held responsible.

The ruling-AL led-14 party leaders have lambasted Khaleda for her article, where she expressed her opinion over Bangladesh's political situation, both in parliament and outside, asking her to seek pardon from Bangladeshis.