BNP, the key ally of Jamaat-e-Islami, hasrefrained from making any comment over the death of ex-ameer of the Islamic party and war crimes convict Ghulam Azam.

Sought his comment about it at a press conference on Friday, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir parried the question tactfully.

The press conference was arranged at BNP chairperson’s Gulshanpolitical office to give the party’s reaction to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Friday’s press meet.

As a reporter asked whether BNP will express shock at the death of Gulam Azam, Fakhrul said, “It’s not the agenda of the press conference. I’ve already briefed you about the issues for what we convened it. Thank you.”

Later, he hurriedly left the conference room, apparently to avoid further questions about the issue.

Ghulam Azam who was sentenced to 90 years’ imprisonment unto death for masterminding atrocities during the Liberation War in 1971 died at a city hospital on Thursday night at the age of 92.

No BNP leader was ready to say anything about the Jamaat leader.

The party usually issues condolence messages of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressing shock at death of any top leader of the BNP-led 20-party alliance. Top BNP leaders, including Khaleda and Fakhrul, also usually visit the bereaved family members.

But, no BNP leader visited Gulam Azam’s house as of Friday evening. Party sources said BNP is silent over the death of Gulam Azam as he was a war crimes convict. Though the party has questions about the standard and neutrality of the International Crimes Tribunals, it has long been maintaining its s ‘no-comment policy’ over verdicts against war criminals by the tribunals.

BNP leaders were even tight-lipped about the verdicts of the tribunals against their party men convicted for committing crime against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.

The party also did not condole or give any official statement after the death of its former minister and War crimes convict Abdul Alim.

Abul Alim, who was awarded imprisonment unto death for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War, died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital on August 30, 2014.