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 Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday reaffirmed the need for an early national election to restore stability, implement reforms and resolve the pressing challenges facing the nation. “It surely needs to restore stability soon in the country…we think it will be possible to gradually bring the country back from the brink of destruction as soon as it is possible to restore a stable situation in the country,” he said. Tarique said this while addressing a training workshop titled ‘31-point proposal to repair the state structures and public engagement’ arranged by Dhaka Bar Unit of Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum at Dhaka Bar Lawyers Association Auditorium in the city. He said some people questioned whether an election will solve all problems. “In this regard, we can think that since a stable situation will return after the election and reform works will gradually begin, the severity or intensity of the problems will gradually begin to ease,” he added. Pointing to those who demand and argue for holding the local government elections first before the national election, he asked them to consider the present reality as instability is everywhere in the country. “If we look around, we can see instability. There is instability everywhere,” said the BNP acting chairman. He said the main responsibility of this interim government is to help the people of the country make their decisions, to make arrangements for it, to help them make political decisions. “This should be their main goal,” he added. Unity must to protect Bangladesh, its people: Tarique Tarique Rahman said the government is deviating from its goal to some extent, which is reflected in different talks and remarks of the government’s different persons. “They are probably deviating from their goal to some extent in some cases. Confusion is being created from the various statements of different persons. Confusion is being created in different areas. Naturally, when there is instability in politics, confusion will be created,” he said. “If we cannot ensure political stability, then no matter how many reforms we announce, no matter how many policies we adopt - none of them will be successful,” he added. The BNP leader said the main goal of the interim government and everyone should be to restore a stable situation as soon as possible in the country. The longer we delay in making the parliament functional, the restlessness, debate and controversy will spread, which ultimately causes instability everywhere including the economy and society as well as brings harm to the country as a whole. About the 31-point reform proposal, Tarique said it is a sacred responsibility for BNP to bring reform in the state structures as the party placed the (31-point) reform proposal first before the country and its people this time. He said the 31-point reform proposal is not much different from what reform proposals this interim government placed. “Since we, BNP, raised this reform proposal first, made the commitment to the people of Bangladesh, to make it successful or to fulfill this promise in a phased manner. This is our sacred responsibility. If this sacred responsibility has to be fulfilled in a phased manner in terms of reality, of course, we need a parliament,” he said. The BNP acting chairman said there should be an election where the people of Bangladesh will be able to give their true judgment. And a parliament should be formed on the basis of the results of a transparent and neutral election. “If so, that parliament will be able to turn reforms into reality,” he said.