Shibganj (Bogura) Correspondent 

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said that opposition party leaders were invited to the inauguration ceremony of the memorial built in memory of the martyrs of July-August, but they did not attend, making a lame argument. He said that those who do politics and shout about July-August all day long, have shown deceit by not attending the inauguration ceremony despite receiving an invitation.

The State Minister made these remarks at a press briefing held at Shibganj Upazila Parishad in Bogra on Friday. 

The State Minister said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was present as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the July Memorial built by the government at Osmani Udyan on October 19. The Dhaka South City Corporation had invited the presidents and general secretaries of all like-minded, allied and alliance political parties to the ceremony. Not only did the invitation card get sent, but City Corporation Administrator Md. Abdus Salam confirmed the invitation to everyone over the telephone, the State Minister said.

The State Minister also said that the Prime Minister inaugurated the memorial and the modernized Osmani Udyan after a long 10 years, accompanied by the father of Shaheed Mir Mughada, Abu Sayeed and Anas, and the mother of a martyr, at the inauguration . 

Regarding the statement of the Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General, Mir Shahe Alam said, "The argument given that they did not go because the opposition leader's name was not on the invitation card is not correct." He added,  The Prime Minister invited veteran politician Mahmudur Rahman Manna, national leader Saiful Haque, and BNP standing committee member and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed to the stage even though their names were not on the invitation card. 

            Regarding the current political stance of opposition parties including Jamaat, the state minister said, "They are now spreading various confusions across the country in the name of one point. 

The State Minister requested not to use obscene language in the name of freedom of speech and warned that if obscene language is used even then, the nationalist forces will not accept it.  He also mentioned that five member positions have been left vacant for the opposition party in the Constitution Amendment Committee to implement the July Charter. He called on the opposition party to leave the path of conflict, participate in the implementation of the July Charter by joining the committee, and quickly name five representatives and play a responsible role.

After the press briefing, the State Minister gave Tk 5 lakh to the family of Firoza of Kichak Haripur village, who died in a road accident.