BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday said his party will not fall into any conspiracy to disrupt the election, accusing a quarter of trying to destabilise the country through killings and mob violence as they are not prepared for polls.
“Those who do not believe in the country’s independence and sovereignty are resorting to terrorism and mob violence to foil the election. But BNP will not walk into their trap,” he said.
Abbas, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at a doa and memorial meeting organised by the “BIRDEM General Hospital Officers and Employees Unity Council” at BIRDEM Hospital in Shahbagh.
He said a quarter is trying to exploit the election period to make the country unstable through killings, mob attacks and disorder. “They have understood the pulse of the people. They are conspiring against patriotic forces.”
Abbas recalled that BNP came under severe attacks during the 2018 national election. “My house turned into a hospital. Three ambulances worked continuously to take the wounded to different hospitals after attacks by Awami cadres.”
He said Khaleda Zia endured extreme hardships and protected us at the cost of her life. “She never left the country despite injustice and repression, yet there was no gratitude.”
The BNP leader alleged that their party leaders and activists faced enforced disappearances and killings for 17 years. “The conspiracy still continues. It seems BNP cannot speak. If we speak, our words are twisted on social media,” he said.
Abbas said crores of taka are being spent on social media to target BNP leaders and candidates.
“I am being targeted. I went to Bangladesh Bank with 11 cards following proper rules. But propaganda is being spread on social media as if the election is being held only in Mirza Abbas’ constituency. Do not just hit like and share — write and respond,” he said pointing at the party leaders and workers.
Abbas claimed a certain party is spending huge sums on propaganda. “Their target is to make Mirza Abbas fail,” he said.
Referring to Muhammad Nasiruddin Patwary, the National Citizen Party candidate for Dhaka-8, Abbas described him as “an immature person”. “If such immature people enter parliament, only Allah knows what will happen,” he added.
Abbas said the people of Bangladesh remain grateful to Begum Khaleda Zia. “Our ability to speak and contest elections today is the result of her sacrifices. She protected the country at the cost of her life.”