BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Saturday alleged that a few political parties are trying to fish in troubled waters by holding people hostage to serve their narrow political interests.
“The people of this country earned independence in ’71 and secured their right to speak freely in ’24 through immense blood and sacrifice,” he said.
Speaking at a workers’ meeting in the capital, the BNP leader also said attempts are now being made to snatch away those rights achieved in 1971 and 2024.
“A few political parties are trying to hold the people of Bangladesh hostage to gain political advantage. They want to muddy the waters and fish in them,” he said.
Abbas, a BNP Standing Committee member, called upon party leaders, activists and the general public to remain alert to tackle the plots against the country.
He warned that any attempt to create unrest in Dhaka city will not be allowed, saying the BNP will resist all such efforts.
“Our leader Tarique Rahman announced that he would be coming to Bangladesh… After that announcement, a murder took place, followed by a series of incidents one after another. This means it is a planned design,” Abbas observed.
He said such activities were aimed at “snatching away the democratic rights of the people” that were achieved in 1971. “We will not allow those rights to be taken away. We will restore our right to vote at any cost.”
The BNP leader also warned against any attempts to disrupt the next election. “Those who try to foil the polls will receive their answer through the election process itself. The election will be held in this country, and it must take place.”
The meeting was organised at the Sadeque Hossain Khoka Community Centre in Gopibagh by the Dhaka South City unit of the BNP as part of preparations to welcome Tarique Rahman on his return home on Thursday, ending his nearly 18 years in exile in London.
Abbas told the meeting that the return of the BNP Acting Chairman symbolises the return of democracy to Bangladesh. “He is coming to restore democracy. Do not be misled by what others say.”
Mirza Abbas calls attack on Hadi part of wider conspiracy
In an oblique reference to Jamaat-e-Islami, he said the party does not want Bangladesh to remain peaceful as it had opposed the country’s birth.
“Those who do not wish well for the country and do not love it may look like human beings, but they are devils in human form. They opposed Pakistan in 1947 and opposed Bangladesh in 1971. They do not want peace in the country. Even if they remain silent for some time, their claws and poisonous fangs grow again. Their activities are systematic and continuous,” the BNP leader said.
He said undemocratic forces will not be able to survive in the face of democracy and warned those engaged in conspiracy to be cautious as the people of the country knew them well.
“Several newspaper offices and a number of institutions were torched and burned down. Who are these people? Do they love the country? They are enemies of the nation and enemies of the country. They must be stopped,” Abbas said.
He also criticised the government and law enforcement agencies for failing to prevent arson attacks and mob violence.
“When we went to meet the head of this government, we repeatedly said that we had extended a hand of cooperation to you. But you did not accept that hand of cooperation,” the BNP leader said.
He also alleged that the interim government was siding with anti-Bangladesh forces working to destroy the country. “So many incidents are happening—where are the arrests? Where are the law enforcement agencies? They are nowhere to be seen on the ground.”
The meeting was chaired by Dhaka South BNP Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin. Candidates and leaders from several Dhaka constituencies, including Nabi Ullah Nabi, Ishraque Hossain, Hamidur Rahman Hamid, Habibur Rashid Habib and Sheikh Robiul Alam, also addressed the programme.