United News of Bangladesh

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Tuesday (4th November 2025) voiced deep concern that the interim government might resort to ‘unlawful means’ to secure victories for the two parties it now relies on — Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP). “The way this government is acting, it’s clear they have no strength of their own. This government survives by leaning towards two parties — one is a party they themselves created and the other is an old one,” he said while addressing a discussion and doa and milad mahfil. Abbas, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said the interim government does whatever these two parties tell it to do. “The latest proof is the (allocation of the NCP’s) election symbol. The government must do whatever they say. Who are these people? Where did they come from? What is their popular base? Do they have any support anywhere in Bangladesh?” he said. The BNP leader also said that if an election had been held, it would have become clear how many votes each side would receive. Fakhrul asks BNP leaders left out of candidate list to stay loyal “I am deeply worried that the government may resort to illegal means to ensure the victory of these parties. Just like the previous Awami League government that held midnight voting instead of daytime voting, this government may also indulge in any such acts,” he said. Dhaka South City unit BNP organised the programme at Nayapaltan Ananda Community Centre, marking the 6th death anniversary of former BNP Vice Chairman and the last mayor of undivided Dhaka city Sadeque Hossain Khoka. In an oblique reference to Jamaat, Abbas questioned whom the citizens of this country do not consider necessary, and are now making such long speeches. “Those who never wanted Bangladesh in the first place now want to rule it. I simply can’t understand that.” He said this party opposed the creation of Pakistan in 1947, opposed Bangladesh in 1971, and in 1996 and several other times spoke against the interests of the people. “Yet, they are now talking big. The BNP leader also accused Jamaat of trying to divide the nation by using religion in politics. “We will not let the nation be divided. But there is a section of people who want to split the nation for their own gain.” He said those who want to divide the nation also want to bring back the Awami fascist force that ruined the country. “The people of Bangladesh will never allow that to happen.” “Look closely, and you’ll see they are so excited because they assume they will get the Awami League’s votes. But that is not true. The people loyal to the Awami League will not vote for anyone else. They will vote for a patriotic party,” Abbas said. He lamented that the country is now in a terrible state for lack of good governance. "Who owns the country? Who runs it? It feels as if the country has no owner — no one is looking after it. Everyone is just busy talking about reform, reform, and reform! But what exactly are you reforming? I don’t understand that,” the BNP leader said. Election uncertainty may endanger democratic transition: Tarique He said many people are now coming to Dhaka in search of work due to rising unemployment across the country, making it difficult for pedestrians to even walk on the footpaths because of the huge crowds. The BNP leader said many people have set up shops on the pavements, causing problems for ordinary citizens. “If you pay attention — when you drive or take a bus — you’ll see there are now lots of battery-run rickshaws everywhere. These people are unemployed and looking for work, so they have turned to this.” Abbas said the interim government has no initiative to solve the problems of unemployed people in the country. “Instead, they have turned everything upside down, creating opportunities for a section of people to plunder the country. A new class is now thinking only of looting and destroying the nation.” He said those who never dared to raise their heads before are now speaking arrogantly. “Where did they get this boldness and power from?” About BNP’s announcement of 237 candidates for the upcoming national election, Abbas said many capable aspirants could not be nominated because of the presence of several similar candidates. He said those who did not get nomination are naturally disappointed, but urged everyone to work together to ensure the victory of the party’s candidates. Read more: NCP among three parties set to get EC’s registration

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Wednesday expressed doubts over whether the interim government will hold the election timely in line with people's expectations as some cohorts of Awami League affiliates are trying to mislead the Chief Adviser to disrupt the polls. "The Election Commission will conduct the election as per people's expectations. Dr Muhammad Yunus has placed us in an embarrassing situation by suggesting that the election will be held in December or June," he said at a discussion. Ganatantra Forum organised the programme titled ‘Democracy, Reform and Reality in the Current Context’ at the Jatiya Press Club. After the Chief Adviser said the election would be held by December, the BNP leader pointed out that one of his officials had stated it would take place by June. “He (CA) later endorsed it. So, there is quite a strong argument to be made that this is an effort to prevent the election from taking place.” Abbas, a BNP Standing Committee member, said there is a saying—hope for the best and prepare for the worst. “From that worst-case thinking, I believe the government probably won't hold elections anytime soon. I see no indication of that happening. This is my personal opinion, not my party’s.” He alleged that a smokescreen has been created around the upcoming national election due to the immature and childish behaviour of certain political parties. “What some parties have begun saying—that there will be no election unless this or that conditions are met—is deeply concerning. If this, how the election will be held,” the BNP leader said. He also said some of these parties have already said they will not go to the election. “Let’s be honest—just a few days ago, hardly anyone in Bangladesh even knew who you were. And now you're issuing threats about boycotting the election. Such threats are pointless and serve no real purpose.” Abbas said BNP wants both reforms and elections. “But there is no need for unnecessary reforms beyond what the people require. Elections are the alternative to elections. We must hold the election after implementing the reforms necessary for the people of the country.” He warned Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that cohorts of the Awami League, including four serving secretaries, a retired secretary and some advisory council members, would attempt to steer him away from the right path. “They will destroy all your achievements and reputation.” Abbas described retired diplomat Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, who was recently appointed as a Special Assistant, as a “product of the Awami League.” “There are more Awami League products on your right and left,” he said, addressing the Chief Adviser, urging him to be careful of them. “They will derail you.” Abbas said the BNP and the people of the country want to uphold the dignity of Professor Muhammad Yunus and ensure the Chief Adviser’s success in building a prosperous Bangladesh. He strongly criticised National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam for his recent remark that a national election is not possible under an administration allegedly controlled by pro-BNP officials. Abbas dismissed the comment as immature, likening it to the way children argue—refusing something without proper reasoning. He explained that the BNP no longer has any presence within the administration, claiming that the fascist regime in power over the past 16 years had strategically embedded its associates across government institutions, including within the secretariat. The BNP leader questioned why NCP leaders fail to speak out against those fascists and enemies of the nation who still remain in place in the administration. “What if I say you are receiving illegal benefits from them?” He said former fascist ruler Sheikh Hasina, along with her party leaders, activists and government officials in the administration and law enforcement agencies who were involved in misdeeds, must be brought to justice. “Our struggle against those who want to rehabilitate the Awami League in the country will continue,” the BNP leader said. Abbas emphasised the urgent need for national unity in Bangladesh, stating that the country is currently in a dire state. He warned that if the people of Bangladesh become divided, the country risks once again falling under Indian hegemony. The BNP leader thinks that regardless of political affiliation—be it BNP, Jamaat, NCP, or any other party—all must remain united in the interests of the nation and its people, rising above differences of opinion among them. Abbas said the true strength of the Bangladeshi people lies in their unity. “We may not have many weapons or vast resources, but we have unity—and we proved that in July and August when national unity enabled us to challenge the fascist regime. This kind of unity was also seen during the Liberation War in 1971, when the entire nation, except for a few individuals, stood together. To protect the country’s independence and sovereignty, we must now unite once again,” he added.

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Wednesday said it was a great joke that law enforcers were calling voters to cast their votes as dogs were sleeping at the voting centres during by-polls to Brahmanbaria-2 seat. “By-elections are being held (Wednesday) in various seats, including Brahmanbaria-2. There has been no voters in the polling station since morning. The media are saying three/four dogs are sleeping at a centre in Brahmanbaria,” he said. In a brief address prior to inaugurating their party’s fourth march programme, the BNP leader said, “Allah saves us as the dogs have no right to vote…I have just got the news that the police are urging voters to come to the polling station using loudspeakers. I have never heard such a great joke in my life.” The by-polls to the six parliamentary seats — left vacant after BNP MPs resigned —were held amid some stray incidents on Wednesday. The six constituencies are: Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4 and 6, Chapainawabganj-2, 3 and Brahmanbaria-2. Advocate Abdus Sattar who resigned from the Brahmanbaria-2 seat contested the by-polls. BNP leaders alleged that the government was playing various tricks to ensure the victory of Sattar, who was expelled from the party.” Leaders and activists of BNP's Dhaka South City unit marched towards the capital's Malibagh from Kamalapur Stadium, ending the party’s 4-day programme to press home their  10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a  non-party caretaker government. Mirza Abbas formally inaugurated the programme in front of Bir Shrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur around 3:25 pm. The march ended at Malibgah Bazar after parading over nearly a five-kilometre stretch of the road via Mugda and Khilgaon. Read more: Mirza Fakhrul, Mirza Abbas picked up by detectives: BNP This was the fourth and last such programme of BNP, as the party's Dhaka north city unit marched from Badda to Malibagh on Saturday and the Dhaka south city unit marched from Jatrabari to Jurain on Monday and North City unit marched from Gabtoli to Mirpur on Tuesday. Abbas urged the government to quit power for holding a credible election under a carter government. He said the caretaker government was the main demand of the Awami League and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in 1996.  “The Prime Minister at that time wanted the caretaker government for life. But they can’t keep their words,” he observed.   The BNP leader said the government has become scared of losing power even seeing a silent march of the BNP. “The fall of this regime is impending and their days are numbered.” He also said their march is an advanced funeral procession of the current government. Abbas slammed the government for increasing the power tariff just 19 days after the previous hike. He said the current ‘fascist and monstrous’ regime must be removed from power to ensure the welfare of the people and protect the country from misrule.

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday said their party leaders and activists will rather take bullets in chest, but will not leave the streets until the fall of the current government. Speaking at a rally in the city’s Segunbagicha area in the capital, he also said their party will come up with a different strategy of movement this time since law enforcers have resorted to firing at their peaceful programmes. “We’ll reach a situation someday when processions and rallies will be held at every lane and locality of Dhaka, but you (govt) won’t be able to resist it. We’ll see how many police you have and how many activists we have.  We won’t spare if anyone tries to shoot us,” the BNP leader said. Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, alleged that their party has been obstructed from holding rallies by closing roads and traditional venues like Press Club and Paltan. Also read: No non-partisan govt, EC won’t be abolished: Tofail Ahmed “We won’t keep the streets only in your hands. We’ll surely take over the streets. The leaders of BNP and its student and youth wings have learned how to receive bullets. So, there’s nothing to be worried and we’ll take bullets in our chests, but won’t leave the streets until this regime is ousted,” he warned. As part of BNP’s plan to hold 16 rallies in the capital in the current month, Shahbagh and Ramna zones of its Dhaka south city unit arranged the programme in protest against the increase in prices of essentials, fuel and transport fares and the killing of three opposition leaders in police firing. Abbas said police shot dead Swechchasebak Dal leader Abudr Rahim, Chhatra Dal leader Noor-e-Alam in Bhola and Jubo Dal leader Shaon Prodhan in Narayanganj by attacking BNP’s programmes against the price hike in daily essentials. He said BNP leaders and activists are now being implicated in many ‘false’ cases.  “But we won’t give up so easily in the face of firing and cases.” The BNP leader said the movement was carried out in a traditional process during the anti-Ershad movement in the 90s as there was no police firing at that time. “Since firing (at our programmes) is going on, we’ll take a different strategy of the movement in a different way. The movement can’t go on always the same way.  We’ll definitely take suitable measures based on the evolving situation,” he observed. Abbas said Shaon, Rahim and Noor-e-Alam sacrificed their lives in the recent movement while many people in the past laid down their lives for the liberation of the country and for the protection of democracy. Also read: Don’t antagonise people: BNP warns civil servants “We’re also ready to sacrifice our lives to save the country and its independence and sovereignty.  I promise you that I will be there on the frontline of the movement at the right time. But we want to ensure a safe future for our children. We can’t under any circumstances leave behind our new generation in the hands of a hyena-like regime of Awami League,” he said. Abbas said the prices of essential commodities will not go down as long as the Awami League government is in power. “This regime has made the poor people poorer and those living abroad richer. Aziz Khan of Summit Group, a brother of (AL leader Farooq Khan) is one of the richest persons in Singapore.  Many such rich people from a poor country (Bangladesh) are now among the richest men in many countries like Aziz Khan in Singapore.”