Dhaka, Sept. 12 -- BNP senior leader AZM Zahid Hossain on Friday alleged that fugitive autocrats and anti-state forces are secretly forging unity and making 'entente' to hinder Bangladesh's democratic progress and tarnish its image as a moderate democratic country.

"Absconding autocrats and anti-state forces are now secretly uniting and making entente so that Bangladesh cannot move forward on the path of democracy, and so that the country cannot uphold its reputation in the world as a moderate democratic nation," he said.

Talking to reporters after paying homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Zahid also alleged that various conspiracies are going on both at home and abroad to hold Bangladesh back, put its democracy at risk, and delay its ...