With at least eight people being killed across the country in mob attacks on false kidnapping rumours, the ruling Awami League has blamed its arch-rival the BNP for spreading the misinformation.

“The BNP headquarters at the capital’s Paltan is a factory of rumours. BNP leaders hold press conferences there to spread rumours,” it's General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Saturday (Jul 27).

His remarks came while addressing a party event marking the 25th anniversary of Awami League’s volunteers’ front, Swechhashebak League.

“The party is behind the mob attacks stemming from rumours. Propagandas are run on from their rumour factory. We are fully aware of what they are doing, the conspiracies they are hatching,” said Quader, a senior Cabinet member.

Blaming the BNP of politicising its party chief Khaleda Zia’s health condition, he said, “After failing with their movement and in the election, now they have come up with Khaleda Zia’s release. They are spewing lies about their leader’s health condition.”

Warning party supporters on ‘plots against the government’, Quader said, “The communal forces are inactive, but they are not finished ... Rumours and misleading information are being spread. Bangladeshi citizens are making false claims abroad; we need to get to the root of these.”