BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday expressed his party’s opposition to banning any party by the interim government. “Who are we to ban political parties? It’s the people of the country who will take the decision in this regard,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks as journalists sought his comments about a quarter’s demand for banning Jatiya Party. Mirza Fakhrul recalls former secretary Sabihuddin’s contributions to country He said what is not an issue is being made an issue as part of a new plot. The BNP leader said plots have been hatched to destabilise the country and put the country’s future in uncertainty. Earlier, he joined a memorial programme at BRAC Center Inn, marking the second death anniversary of Sabihuddin Ahmed, an ex-adviser of the BNP Chairperson. Fakhrul said Sabihuddin Ahmed, as a patriot and a man of nationalist ideals, will always be remembered with respect and love by the people of the country. Need to hold polls quickly; only elected govt can make visible changes: Fakhrul He said Sabihuddin Ahmed worked for the people and democracy of the country all his life. Fakhrul also said that Sabihuddin Ahmed, a sports enthusiast, was full of energy. “He would be happy if he could see Bangladesh free from fascism.” Interim Government Finance Advisor Salehiddin Ahmed, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, and Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, among others, spoke at the program.  

Amid calls for the removal of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said the nation does not expect a constitutional or political crisis from such actions. Talking to reporters at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, he urged all to remain alert to prevent the cohorts of fascism from causing trouble in the country through various plots. “The presidency is the highest constitutional position and it is also an institution. If this position becomes vacant due to resignation or removal, it will create a constitutional and national crisis,” he stated. President issue: BNP urges unity in talks with Dr Yunus The BNP leader also said if the path of transition to democracy is delayed or hindered through a state crisis, it will go against the nation’s desires. He urged everyone to stay alert to prevent the deposed fascists and their associates from causing chaos in the country through various plots. The BNP leader also emphasised that the nation stands united and is prepared to confront these challenges and plots together. When asked if the BNP seeks the President’s removal or resignation, Salahuddin replied, “Vacancy in the President's post would create a state and constitutional crisis at this moment, which the nation doesn’t expect. A group of students and people is demanding the resignation or removal of the President after Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, the chief editor of Manab Zamin, in an article in ‘Janatar Chokh’ claimed that the President told him that he had not received any resignation letter from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Rizvi accuses govt of 'hide and seek' over arrest of Hasina's ministers Subsequently, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul accused the President of lying about not receiving Hasina’s resignation letter, suggesting that his statement constituted a breach of his oath of office. “The President’s claim that he did not receive Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter is a lie and a violation of his oath,” Dr Asif asserted. Earlier in the day, BNP senior leaders, including Salahuddin, met Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and called for strengthening national unity to foil any attempts to create a constitutional and political crisis. Speaking to reporters in front of the Chief Adviser's residence after the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan also said they will tackle any plots by the cohorts of the deposed fascist regime unitedly, together with all pro-democratic political parties and organisations. Nazrul, along with BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud and Salahuddin Ahmed, met the Chief Adviser to discuss the latest political situation. The BNP leader said they discussed establishing a government of the people through a national election after completing the ongoing process of reforms. BNP for creating quick election environment  Asked whether the Chief Adviser sought any opinion from them about the removal of the President, Nazrul parried the question. He, however, said they urged all to remain cautious to ensure that a new constitutional or political crisis does not arise in the country.  

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said on Monday that it's BNP that is going through bad times, not the country. “Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is trying to scare the people of the country by talking about bad times. In fact, there are no bad times in the country; bad times are going on in BNP politics,” he said. The road transport and bridges minister made the remarks in reply to the BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul's recent comments that a suffocating situation has been prevailing in the country due to repression and misrule of the current government. “Over 600 of our leaders and workers have been made to disappear and over a thousand others killed. Our 35 lakh leaders and activists have been implicated in false cases,” Fakhrul alleged. Also read: BNP urges ACC to probe ruling party’s alleged corruption Responding to the allegation Quader said BNP leaders and activists are now aimless travellors. They now want to get rid of the failed leadership of the top leaders of the BNP. People want to forget the misrule of the BNP era. “As a result, the people have repeatedly chosen the Awami League and as always, the people will choose the Awami League in the next election. Realizing that, the BNP is now suffering,’ he also said. In the statement, Quader said BNP leaders have repeatedly said that a fair election is not possible without a caretaker government. There is no point in raising an issue that has been settled by the country's highest court. Also read: No need to appease any one to stay in power: Quader He emphasized that the election will be held under a neutral election commission. The government will only cooperate with it. “So I will tell the BNP if you believe in the election, if you have confidence in the people, then avoid the path of conspiracy and prepare for the next election. Hopefully, good sense of the BNP will prevail,” he said.

Stating that the current government is deadlier than Coronavirus, BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Friday said it is now on "life support" like the health sector of the country.