Stating that deliberate efforts are underway to create chaos on various fronts, BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Tuesday urged the political parties and people from all walks of life to cooperate with the interim government in addressing all plots and challenges. Speaking at a discussion meeting in the capital , he also said it matters little whether deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned or not, as she fled the country in the face of a mass movement. “The conspiracies have not stopped. Various plots are being hatched. We must remain vigilant and cooperate with the government to tackle these plots. We know this government is not very strong, as it does not represent any party or opinion," the BNP leader said. He said that the interim government did not usurp power, as the nation entrusted it with the responsibility to run the state. "We must collaborate with the government since we have given it this charge. “There are deliberate efforts to create chaos in various sectors of the country. There were attempts to disrupt order during the recent Durga Puja, but we resisted these efforts through united efforts of all." As a labour leader, Nazrul said, he had never heard of the demand for ensuring parity between male and female workers in the RMG factories. “However, a movement was launched over this issue, resulting in factories being attacked, ransacked, and shut down. Are those who carried out this movement truly labour workers?” President out to rehabilitate Hasina, says BNP The Bangladesh Labour Party organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club to mark its 47th founding anniversary. Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said it is a mistake to think that the Awami League lacks the capability to create chaos in the country just because the party is not in power and its top leaders have fled. "They have that capacity and are attempting to create problems in various ways. However, it is the government's responsibility to suppress unjust activities. We can assist them, but we cannot do so in favour of the government. We urge the government to take effective steps promptly to provide relief to the people by stabilising the prices of essential goods," he said. The BNP leader expressed concern and doubt over why the issue of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation suddenly emerged. "It is the government's responsibility to investigate the matter and take appropriate action." Nazrul, who was in jail on August 5, said, “From prison, we saw on television that the President, accompanied by the chiefs of the three services, stated that Sheikh Hasina had resigned and accepted her resignation letter. There should be no controversy over this after the President's announcement.” After that, he noted that Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, claimed she did not step down. “Later, we heard a telephone conversation where Hasina stated she did not resign in the way it should have been done. This implies that she did resign…so there should be no question about her resignation. It is of little significance whether she resigned or not, as she has fled the country." The BNP leader stated that some political parties are suddenly advocating for the Proportional Representation (PR) election system. “They never discussed it in the past, and even some major parties are now supporting it. This is a significant decision that should be determined through discussions.” He said India, the largest democracy in the world, does not use the PR system in their lower house or Lok Sabha elections, nor in the Vidhan Sabha. “The PR system is also not applied in the USA, Canada, or France. Even in England, where democracy originated, the PR system is not used,” he said. Nazrul added that the PR system has been implemented in Nepal and Sri Lanka in South Asia. “We have also seen how many times the government has changed in Nepal over the past 5 to 7 years.” He said there should be no room for implementing any special agenda of individuals or groups taking advantage of a changed situation. “Decisions should be made in line with the hopes and desires of the people. Nothing should be imposed; instead, we should accept what is beneficial for all." Speaking at the same programme, BNP standing committee member Begum Selima Rahman said the allies of the fascist Sheikh Hasina regime are still occupying key positions in the country. “These associates are attempting to stage a comeback in a planned manner. However, their return to politics will not be that easy."

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday urged democratic political parties to maintain their unity, rising above narrow political interests, to resist the revival of Awami fascism. Speaking at a memorial discussion meeting in the capital, he also called upon the government to fulfill its duty of restoring democracy through elected public representatives as soon as possible. The BNP leader also said those who have oppressed the people of the country over the past 16 years have neither expressed regret nor shown remorse, and they continue to work to harm the nation. “We must remain aware and united, with our goals steadfast. Unfortunately, it seems we have not learned our lesson despite facing so much repression and suppression,” he said. Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, also lamented that one pro-democratic party is making derogatory comments about another solely for narrow political interests, which serves no purpose. “We could oust autocracy and fascism with the mass unity we have forged. If this unity is compromised in any way, that fascism and autocracy will revive, and none of us will be spared. That’s why we must not jeopardise our unity,” he said. The BNP leader said their party aims to collaborate with all forces—right, left, moderate, and Islamic—to build the country and ensure the welfare of its people. “We want to ensure that the people of this country are never again subjected to fascism and repression. We also advocate for freedom of the press, but not its abuse.” Jamiat Ulema-e Islam arranged the progarmme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in memory of its former leader and ex-MP Mufti Mohammad Wakkas. Later, the party’s national council was also held at the venue. BNP smells a blueprint to establish those who ‘sell independence’ He warned that the cohorts of the autocratic regime are making various efforts to create division among democratic forces. “We must resist all such evil efforts.” The BNP leader stated that their party aims to assist the current interim government in properly fulfilling its specific responsibilities, such as restoring democracy following the fall of autocracy. “Democracy means governing the country through the elected representatives of the people. While fascism has been removed, democracy has yet to be restored. The government has the responsibility to restore it. We hope they will do it correctly and as soon as possible," Nazrul said. He said political parties, including the BNP, are prepared to give the government a reasonable timeframe for the restoration of democracy. “However, the government’s goals need to be clear to the people. We must understand the nature of their actions.” The BNP leader also said those who attempt to obstruct the restoration of democracy must be dealt with firmly. He noted that associates of fascism still hold key positions at various levels of the administration. “We must be vigilant to ensure they cannot plot to bring back the fascist Awami forces." The BNP leader said over 700 BNP leaders and workers have been subjected to enforced disappearance over the past 15 years, with most of them not returning. “We don’t know whether they are alive or not. Their children, parents, and relatives are still waiting for the return of their loved ones.” He said more than a thousand BNP leaders and activists were killed during Sheikh Hasina’s regime, while hundreds of thousands were implicated in false cases. The BNP leader emphasised that the people of the country were freed from Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic rule through the sacrifices of many students and citizens. “It is now our responsibility to ensure that the people do not face such a regime again."

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Tuesday said the country’s people have no interest in casting their votes in a ‘meaningless’ election billed for January 7. He also raised a question if there is public support in the 'one-sided' election, why the councillors have been given instructions by the police to bring voters to the polling stations. Talking to reporters while distributing leaflets, containing BNPs' call for boycotting the upcoming polls, among the pedestrians on the Motijheel to Dilkusha Road, Nazrul said, “People are not interested in voting as they know it's a meaningless election... It's not a vote and not an election." AL resorting to threats to drive up turnout after failing to get desired response for Jan 7 election: Rizvi He called upon the voters not to go to the polling stations in any situation on January 7. “Don’t cooperate with the regime which is playing a game with the lives and livelihoods of people.” Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said why the dummy candidates are needed to bring people to the polling station. "Why are beneficiaries of the government’s different programmes and facilities threatened that their cards will be cancelled if they don't cast their votes? Why have you used police to instruct the councillors to bring people to the polling stations? Gazipur train derailment: Jubo Dal leader, associate arrested He said people have already rejected the lopsided election and they will boycott the voting as well. The BNP leader also questioned the justification of holding such an unacceptable election by spending several thousand crores of taka when the country’s economy and financial institutions are in dire straits. “We urge the government to stop this expenditure on this illegal election...it can’t be called an election where all candidates belong to Awami League. We don't want such an election,” he said. BNP leader shot dead over land dispute in Sitakunda The BNP leader said their party wants such an election where the people can freely exercise their right to vote and elect their representatives. As part of their three-day countrywide programme, Nazrul along with some leaders and workers of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal conducted a mass campaign and distributed leaflets among the pedestrians near Sonali Bank in the Motijheel area.

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Wednesday asked their party’s leaders and activists to get ready for taking to the streets with shrouds on their heads for the restoration of democracy in the country. “Many of our political colleagues have remained missing. We’ve not yet found a good number of our leaders, including Ilias Ali, Chowdhury Alam, Parvez and Hiru. More may face the same fate at this point of our movement,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, Nazrul said the leaders and activists of BNP must continue the movement together as their chairperson Khaleda Zia is now at the crossroads of death and life. “We have to create a mass upsurge in a democratic process to oust the current regime.  So, take preparations for that. We must carry out the fight with shrouds on our heads braving the fear of deaths,” he said. BNP’s national committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Independence of the country arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club. READ: BNP not to join talks on EC formation Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said democracy was obliterated and disrupted repeatedly in the country since the country’s independence by Awami League whenever it came to power. He said BNP has the capability to bring back democracy in Bangladesh as it did in the past under the leadership of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. READ: Clash between BNP factions: Ex-Jubo Dal leader stabbed in Pabna “It’s now the responsibility of BNP leaders and activists to restore democracy in the country,” Nazrul said.

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday alleged that Awami League has been providing wrong information to the country’s people about the Liberation War as part of its move to hide facts. “Awami League has been trying to make us forget the real history of the Liberation War. I call it an evil attempt. The country needs to get rid of such a crime. Everyone has to be given or recognized what he or she deserves,” he said. Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, came up with the comments while distributing prizes among the winners of a drawing and quiz competition at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office. BNP’s committee on the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence arranged the programme, marking the Victory Day. Nazrul described Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the architect of the country’s independence and paid homage to him. Read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP’s rallies in 32 districts from Dec 22 He also paid tributes to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, those who ran the first government of independent Bangladesh, commander-in-chief of the Liberation War MAG Osmani, all other freedom fighters and martyrs recalling their role in liberating the country. The BNP said the nation had started preparations for the Liberation War through different movements and struggles since the Language Movement in 1952. “All those who led the nation over this long period and initiated the war deserve our respect.” “Had the political leadership not prepared proper grounds, we couldn’t have won the war. All those who supported us from all over the world also deserve our respect. At the same time, we must express our gratitude to those who in our country directly or indirectly helped us. It won’t be acceptable to people if we try to take all credits on our own without recognising the contributions of others. This is unfair,” he observed. Read: It’s inevitable consequence of HR violations, BNP about US sanctions Nazrul said it was Major Ziaur Rahman who first revolted against the Pakistani occupation forces at midnight on March 25. “We heard the proclamation of independence on the radio for the first time in his (Zia’s) voice. How’ll I accept it if someone now tells me referring to a law or a court verdict not to believe what I heard in my own ears?” He urged the new generation to try to know the truth. “Remember, knowing lies is not knowledge.”  

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday warned that there will be a mass upsurge in the country if anything bad happens to Khaleda Zia for lack of treatment as people will not remain silent. "People won’t play the role of a silent spectator, if you (govt) kill the most popular leader of the country, Begum Khaleda Zia, without treatment,” he told a human-chain programme. The BNP leader said people will not accept the conspiracy of the government against Khaleda Zia as they did not accept the Agartala “conspiracy” case in the past. “There’ll be a mass uprising, and the movement will be carried out in a democratic process.” He urged people to get ready to intensify BNP’s current movement in a peaceful manner. Read: Khaleda needs to go abroad for immediate liver treatment: Fakhrul Jatiya Party (Qazi Zafar), one of the allies of the 20-party alliance, arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad. Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said physicians at the largest hospital in Bangladesh are saying Khaleda has some complications that cannot be treated here while prominent lawyers are saying there is no legal bar to sending her abroad for advanced treatment under the current situation. “But the government, which has been in power without people’s votes, won’t allow our leader to go outside the country for advanced treatment. Where the law is not a barrier and humanity is needed, what’s the justification of obstructing her (from going abroad)?” he questioned. Read: Rumour mill goes into overdrive over Khaleda’s health: Fakhrul The BNP leader alleged that the government is not willing to let Khaleda go abroad for advanced treatment out of political vengeance. “They (govt) are now using the state machinery and the state power to take their political revenge.” Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital for various health complications, including that of liver, cardiac and kidneys, since November 13.

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Sunday alleged that the government largely ignored the poor and unemployed people amid the pandemic by not giving necessary allocation and announcing incentive packages for them in the proposed budget for the next fiscal year. “The government has reduced the corporate tax in the proposed budget from which only 20 leading profitable companies will get the benefit of Tk 146 crore. Other companies will also enjoy the same benefit,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said, “But there’s no allocation and incentive package for lakhs of people who became unemployed and poor due to the coronavirus. Many industries and business institutions in the informal sector have been shut down. But there’s nothing for them in the budget.” He said many hawkers, and workers of transport, launch, rickshaw-pullers, day-lobourers and hotel workers have become jobless while 2.5 crore people turned poor newly. “But the government has not given any incentive for them.” Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s 40th death anniversary. READ: Budget fails to reflect people’s aspirations: BNP Nazrul, a BNP standing committee members, demanded the government announce a monthly allowance for the working people who have become unemployed due to the Covid outbreak. “It’s high time to introduce allowances for the unemployed people. We must protect them and provide them food at a fair price or under a rationing system. There’re now lakhs of both educated and uneducated jobless people in the country. We’ve to let them live with dignity,” he added. The BNP leader recalled the contributions of Ziaur Rahman to the country’s Liberation War and its development and urged the party leaders and activists to take a lesson from his life. READ: Budget only to widen debt burden: BNP He also called upon them to get united to restore democracy and people’s lost rights through a movement.

Awami League's information and research sub-committee has replaced Attorney General AM Amin Uddin in the party post, appointing senior advocate M Mansurul Haque Choudhury instead as a legal expert on the committee.

BNP on Monday demanded immediate withdrawal of the government’s ban on its ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia from going aboard for the sake of ensuring her rights to receiving  advance medical treatment as per her choice.

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday urged all to get united imbued with the spirit of Amar Ekushey to ‘restore’ democracy in the country.