"The eight Russian Mig-29s and the South Korean naval frigate were purchased following proper and transparent procedures and there was no room for irregularities," AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil said in a statement.

On the promotion of Mustafizur Rahman to the rank of a general he said that was done in accordance with the rules of the army. The statement also brushed aside other accusations of irregularities in the construction of a mosque and an arch commemorating the liberation war heroes.

Jalil said the modern frigate was procured at a price $ 96 million only. "Buy one of these frigates at this price today, all right pay 20 percent more" he challenged the present government.

He said, "Six navy officers inspected the building of the frigate at the Daewoo dockyard. Besides, the parliamentary standing committee on the defence ministry, comprising members of BNP and Jatiya Party also visited South Korea to witness the trial run of the frigate."

The frigate was sent to Bangladesh after getting a certificate from the committee members, Jalil said in the statement.

The AL secretary general claimed, "The Awami League government had saved $170 million of public money by purchasing the eight Mig-29s for only $119 million." He said it was possible only due to the fruitful negotiations conducted by the then AL government with Russia.