BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said no attempt to pit the BNP against the July Uprising will succeed.
“It would be wrong to think that a fascist ruler was toppled in just 36 days. This was the result of 16 years of continuous struggle and sacrifice. So, I think any attempt to portray the BNP against the July uprising will never succeed,” he said.
Salahuddin made the remarks while speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said the July 2024 student-led mass uprising was not the work of any single political party, but the outcome of a long continuous struggle by all political forces that stood against fascism.
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“So far, our data show that 422 of our leaders and activists embraced martyrdom during the July student uprising. We have already published their names and photos, and the number may increase,” the BNP leader said.
He said the July uprising was built on the blood and sacrifices of BNP leaders and activists who fought against fascism for 16 years.
Salahuddin said not only the BNP, but all democratic political forces that opposed fascism contributed through their struggles, sacrifices and blood to pave the way for the July uprising.
“The brutal massacre at Shapla Chattar was one of the rarest atrocities in the world’s history. So, it must be remembered that it was not the contribution of any single political party,” he said.
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When asked about recent fire incidents at several important places in the country, Salahuddin said it would be premature to comment as investigations are still ongoing.
“I think we should wait. The government has formed investigation teams. Let’s see what their findings are,” he said.
The BNP leader, however, said some of these incidents might be linked. “It seems that certain quarters may be trying to create instability in the country. The fallen fascists or their associates might also be involved—but it’s not right to make any conclusion before the investigations are completed.”
Replying to a question about whether there is any uncertainty over the upcoming national election in February, Salahuddin said all political parties had support for holding the polls at that time.
“Has any party said they don’t want the election in February? Everyone has said the polls should be held in the first half of February. So why should there be any doubt?” he said.
The BNP leader said some parties are campaigning for proportional representation (PR) system, which he described as a democratic practice. “This is the kind of democratic practice for which we have made sacrifices and given our lives.”