United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday warned that a new conspiracy is steadily unfolding by a vested group against the BNP, democracy and the very existence and independence of Bangladesh. "Those of us involved in politics have been speaking about a plot for the past few days. A plot is once again unfolding. We are not saying this merely as political rhetoric or to attract people’s attention. Genuinely, a serious conspiracy is gradually being hatched against Bangladesh’s existence, sovereignty, democracy and the nationalist forces," he said while virtually addressing an iftar mahfil. Zia Cyber Force organised the iftar event in honour of the members of Jatiyatabadi Online Activists at a city hotel. Tarique said there had been a plot in the past against the country, its people and democracy. In recent days, he said, they have observed that the BNP has been subjected to a media trial, as the party holds the brightest chance of gaining majority support from voters in a neutral and transparent election. The BNP leader also mentioned that he had come across media reports on Monday involving party leaders and activists in an untoward incident. After gathering information from the party’s central office, he discovered that the incident was presented in a misleading manner in the newspaper. “A vested quarter, or those conspiring against the BNP, the nationalist forces, and the independence and sovereignty of the country, are gradually trying to create a scenario similar to the media trial the BNP was subjected to during the 1/11 political changeover, by using certain media houses to which they are connected,” Tarique observed. Tarique called upon the nationalist cyber forces to be vigilant about such plots, saying, "Those of you who are online activists must realise this." Tarique promises trial for killings in 2024 uprising if BNP wins He also urged pro-BNP online activists to play a crucial role in countering such plots by circulating facts and genuine information on social media. "I have a special request to you… There may be differences of opinion among you. But in the context in which you have started working, BNP feels that the cooperation of all its online activists is now more necessary than ever. If you work together, you will be able to present to the public what BNP wants to do in the coming days with arguments and deliver it to the people's homes," the BNP leader said. He recalled with gratitude the role of the pro-BNP online activists in mobilising anti-fascist public support during the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina. "Your role is now needed more than ever. It seems that you can only do it if you are all united… I believe that you can do this work in the most beautiful and correct way." Since the country's independence, Tarique claimed that whenever BNP has had the opportunity to govern, it has made the greatest contributions in areas such as health, education, agriculture, food production, industry, employment, overseas employment and local government strengthening. "Maybe there were more things we could have done...but we couldn't, that’s our limitation. Till now, in every sector that improves the country's future, and helps the nation move forward, BNP has done the most,” he said. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir acknowledged the significant role online activists have played in the movement against the fascist regime over the last 17 years. “They made many sacrifices and endured serious repression during the fascist regime," he said. Referring to the online activists as cyber warriors, Fakhrul said they have to once again play a major role in thwarting the plot against the country and BNP. “We have to now fight that battle again. The conspiracy has started again. I believe our warriors will be able to win this battle by defeating this plot," he said.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday asked all to refrain from cunning tactics to further prolong the path to democracy. “As the days go by, we feel that some cunning tactics are being devised to further prolong the path to democracy… I am calling on all concerned to refrain from that,” he said. The BNP leader was addressing a discussion on ‘Role of Politicians in Ensuring Human Rights’ at the Jatiya Press Club in the city. He asked the interim government to expedite the democratic process as soon as possible to establish a representative national parliament and accelerate the responsibility entrusted to them by the people of Bangladesh following the mass uprising. Though they were assured indirectly that this government is working to arrange the national election by December next, its activities must be made public and cleared before people, he said. "Because the longer this journey of transition to democracy takes, the more scopes the deposed dictator and its allies will get to create various kinds of unstable situations. Our proposal is to ensure that that period should not be longer," said Salahuddin. He said BNP also wants reforms and if the party can come to power, it will implement its 31-point reform proposal to build a prosperous democratic state with the help of all who are in the democratic struggle against the fascism. “We will reform all state structures in democratic ways.” AL must be held accountable for its actions: BNP’s Salahuddin The BNP standing committee member said the interim government needs to identify and implement the election-related reform issues through a national consensus. “At the same time, an election roadmap including electoral preparation design should be provided. The nation should be assured of it,” he added. If so, he said, the unrest in the country and instability in the economy would go. About the price hike, Salahuddin expressed concern over it as the holy month of Ramadan is going on. “The market situation is not good… people are suffering a lot due to the rise in commodity prices,” he said. He asked the government to try to improve the supply of essential items to the market and control the prices of the commodities so that the essential items would remain within the purchasing capacity of the poor. "Otherwise, it is natural that they (the people) will criticise even any good step you (govt) take,” he said. Cricising the ousted Awami League’s regime for misrules, the BNP leader said ‘brutal and barbaric’ acts of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture carried out in Bangladesh, which unprecedented even in African jungles. “It is astonishing that we still have not seen any remorse from dictator, fascist, perpetrator of mass killing and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina mass killer. We have not heard any Awami League leader or activist admit responsibility for the mass killing, say that they will enter politics in Bangladesh seeking apology,” he said. If a democratic political culture can be exhibited to people by forging a national unity against fascism, then dictatorship and fascism will never emerged again, said Salahuddin. BNP vice chairman Abdus Salam Pintu, BNP chairperson’s advisory council member Abdus Salam and BNP executive committee member Nazimuddin Alam, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Slamming the government for delaying the national election, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said the advisers’ "reforms first, elections later" remark echoed Sheikh Hasina's "development first, democracy later." Talking to reporters on Friday after paying homage to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, Rizvi also expressed doubt whether the government has any master plan, as a political party is set to launch with its backing. “The people expect this government to perform its duties impartially and take steps to strengthen democracy. But when we hear 'reform first, then elections,' it sounds like an echo of Sheikh Hasina's words, 'development first, then democracy.' Such statements should not come from any adviser’s mouth,” Rizvi said. He said the country’s people have waited for 16 years, fought on the streets, shed their blood, and sacrificed their lives for the restoration of democracy and ensuring free and fair elections. “Why is there so much hesitation and delay regarding that free and fair election? This is now the question of the people.” No scope for reforms without democratic process: Khosru The BNP leader said it is common for political parties to criticise the government for its inaction in controlling the rising prices of essentials or if its administration fails to operate neutrally. “So, why are you trying to instill fear of a repeat of 1/11?” We have overcome all obstacles, staying on the streets bravely year after year. Now, will the advisers teach the country's wise politicians what we should support, what we should not support, and what we should talk about and what we should not?” he questioned Rizvi said their party has placed its full trust in the interim government since its formation. "But our point is, why is there so much delay, no deadline? Why are Hasina's words being repeated—that development comes first, democracy later? We do not want to hear this. He said some advisers of the interim government have been making negative remarks against BNP, both publicly and covertly. “We are also hearing that some people within the government are trying to form a political party. If that’s the case, the people can question the neutrality of the government. Other political parties, who have fought for democracy, may think the government is involved in some sort of master plan,” Rizvi said. He said the government recently conducted a survey through the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), which revealed that the majority of people in the country want local government elections before the national elections. Interim govt fails to maintain neutrality in some cases: Fakhrul “The BBS is a government agency, and they have conducted the survey under government supervision. If you conduct a survey through a government agency, they will obviously speak in favour of the government. If your actions are not neutral, the people will naturally question the government's impartiality." Earlier, Rizvi, along with party leaders and workers, placed a wreath at the Banani grave of Koko in the morning, marking his 10th death anniversary. BNP leaders and workers marked the 10th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko with various programmes. The party arranged a doa mahfil at its Nayapaltan central office in the morning. Another doa mahfil was also held at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office in the evening.