The AL central leaders at a press conference at the party's Dhanmondi office yesterday also slammed Law Minister Moudud Ahmed for his statement in this regard.

They demanded withdrawal of Moudud's statement, which according to them is an act of contempt of court, through making apology to the nation.

"This historic verdict appreciated by the nation has brought new dimension to the history of the country's politics, democracy and rule of law," said AL presidium member Suranjit Sengupta.

The observations in the verdict have upheld the superiority of the constitution, he said. It has made the government nervous and that was reflected in the midnight drama that followed the verdict, he added.

"Why were they so nervous when the verdict did not criticise the present government?" he asked.

The people have been surprised at the law minister's statement, which is a kind of interference to independence of judiciary, he said.

AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed said what they were saying over the past two decades has been proved true by the verdict.

The nation has now learnt through the verdict 15 years of rule between 1975 and 1990 was illegal, Tofail added. "The basic principles of the constitutions were distorted by former president Ziaur Rahman."

He (Zia) allowed religion-based politics in the country and that was the root of the countrywide explosions on August 17, Tofail said.

Suranjit said the verdict would help continue the constitutional rule and sovereignty of the country.

Referring to the law minister's political background in politics, he said Moudud's statement was unexpected, contradictory and motivated. "He (Moudud) should not talk in favour of martial law as he was once jailed for 10 years by a martial law court," Suranjit added.

"Just a few days ago the law minister described the martial law a jungle law'; he should appreciate the verdict," he continued.