BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas has issued a stern warning about the potential repercussions of attempts to sow division by alleging that the BNP is laying the groundwork for another 1/11-style government.
Speaking at a doa and milad mahfil on Friday, he also said democracy will not be restored in Bangladesh if certain quarters continue their efforts to create a conflicting situation with their unguarded statements.
BNP arranged the programme on the ground floor of its Nayapaltan central office, praying for salvation of the departed soul of party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, marking his 10th death anniversary.
“I would like to clearly say that the consequences won’t be good for those who are trying to push the BNP into a different political camp for their own gains,” Abbas said.
He slammed Information Adviser Nahid Islam for accusing BNP of trying to establish another 1/11-like government and reminded him that BNP was the worst victim of the Fakhruddin-Moyeenuddin-led regime formed in 2007.
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“Not 1/11, if you continue to make statements that can lead to division and conflict after August 5, then democracy will never be restored in the country. I would like to say, try to keep the country united without creating division and confusion,” the BNP leader said.
On Thursday, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam raised questions about the neutrality of the interim government, saying that if such a government fails to maintain neutrality, the need for a truly neutral government would arise during the election.
Later that night, Adviser Nahid Islam, in a Facebook post, said the BNP secretary general's comment essentially hinted at the formation of another 1/11-like government in 2007.
Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, said many people are now making various remarks against the BNP through different media and different ways.
“Some of our leaders might have said a few things as their personal opinions... Recently, I’ve seen many people speaking in many ways. Some are saying that BNP is trying to bring about a 1/11 scenario. I want to say to them, no one has suffered more from the horrific consequences of 1/11 in 2007 than BNP,” he said.
Abbas said every leader and worker of BNP—from ordinary members to their topmost leader Begum Khaleda Zia—was not spared from the conspiracy of 1/11.
Without mentioning names, he said there is a party that has started counting their chickens before they are hatched as they have gone crazy in their pursuit of power.
Abbas said various political parties have suddenly started speaking in a way that reminded him of children speaking nonsense.
He lamented that some people and parties were behaving as if BNP were a cohort of the Awami League and were attempting to push BNP toward the Awami League’s camp.
Abbas also said those who are trying to push BNP toward the Awami League should look at themselves in the mirror, reflect on their inner selves, and refrain from deceiving the people.
He recalled how BNP leaders and workers across the country had struggled on the streets to restore democracy, enduring premature deaths, killings, enforced disappearances, imprisonment, and various forms of persecution.
“They (the quarter) now want to push us into another camp. What is the purpose? Do you want to align us with the Awami League? Never think about this, as our party leaders and workers are the vigilant guards of the country’s independence and sovereignty,” Abbas said.
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He said many people claim that the BNP is only focused on elections. “But we’re not just focused on elections. Some bloggers, from abroad, try to run the country. They speak as if what they say must become reality in Bangladesh... Please don’t use your intelligence to create division among the nation. Try to bring peace to the country.”
The BNP leader also called upon the bloggers to use their wisdom and intellect to help build the country, not to blame the BNP.
Abbas said many are claiming that BNP has become jealous because a new party is being launched by the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
“Those who say this are enemies of the nation. Whether a new party is formed or not depends on those trying to create it. Once a new party is formed, you will see the BNP's role. If a new party is formed, we welcome it,” he said.
The BNP leader said those who form a party will lead the country through a democratic process, but urged them not to confuse the public with their baseless remarks.
BNP leaders and workers marked the 10th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko with various programmes.
The party leaders and workers, led by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, placed a wreath at Koko’s grave in Banani in the morning on the occasion.