Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader suspects BNP's involvement behind the attack on Prof Muhammed Zafar Iqbal in Sylhet.
Describing the attack as a communal plot, the road transport and bridges minister said, The plot was devised by those who patronise the BNP.
Obaidul Quader came up with the remarks while responding to a question from the media on Sunday.
“It is clear who was involved and who instigated them. Those who create confusion through their words are not working for the country,” he said.
Quader said the ‘culprits behind the scenes’ would be revealed by the investigation and the government would have no mercy on them.
“The attacker has been caught, but this is a cause for concern. We were surprised by his confession,” he said.
“The attacker accused Zafar Iqbal of making anti-Islam statements but I have never heard such things about him. I do not believe anyone in the country has heard such things,” he said.
With the attack communalist forces are signalling that they are preparing even more horrifying attacks, Quader said.
"This is why the Mar 7 public rally is extremely important," he said while talking with the reporters before a party programme in Gulistan on Sunday.
“We are getting signs that an evil power is attempting to create instability in the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister supervised his treatment herself, said Quader.
“Those who cultivate the communal poison in our country are now attempting to attack progressive intellectuals in the name of religion. Similar attacks have occurred in the past. Zafar Iqbal is lucky to be alive.”
According to bdnews24, Quader said he had spoken with the home minister on the matter.
“I believe an evil force is behind this. They must be found and brought to justice. We cannot be negligent on this.”
Quader spoke to the media ahead of an Awami League leaflet distribution programme in Dhaka’s Gulistan ahead of the March 7 rally.