BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has strongly refuted the claims that the party is planning a repetition of 1/11, and said no one has suffered the terrible consequences of 1/11 more than BNP.
“Some of our leaders might have said a few things as their personal opinions... Recently, I’ve seen many people speaking in many ways. Some are saying that BNP is trying to bring about a 1/11 scenario. I want to say to them, no one has suffered more from the terrible consequences of 1/11 in 2007 than BNP,” he said.
He made this remark while addressing the doa and milad mahfil on the occasion of the 10th death anniversary of party chairperson Khaleda Zia's youngest son Arafat Rahman Koko on Friday.
Abbas said every leader and worker of the BNP—from ordinary members to their topmost leader Begum Khaleda Zia—was not spared from the conspiracy of 1/11.
He slammed Information Adviser Nahid Islam for accusing BNP of trying to establish another 1/11-like government and reminded him that BNP was the worst victim of the Fakhruddin-Moyeenuddin-led regime formed in 2007.
“Not 1/11, if you continue to make statements that can lead to division and conflict after August 5, then democracy will never be restored in the country. I would like to say, try to keep the country united without creating division and confusion,” the BNP leader said.
On Thursday, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam raised questions about the neutrality of the interim government, saying that if such a government fails to maintain neutrality, the need for a truly neutral government would arise during the election.
Later that night, Adviser Nahid Islam, in a Facebook post, said the BNP secretary general's comment essentially hinted at the formation of another 1/11-like government in 2007.
Abbas said many people are now making various remarks against the BNP through different media and different ways.
Without mentioning names, he said there is a party that has started counting their chickens before they are hatched as they have gone crazy in their pursuit of power.
Abbas said various political parties have suddenly started speaking in a way that reminded him of children speaking nonsense.
He lamented that some people and parties were behaving as if BNP were a cohort of the Awami League and were attempting to push BNP toward the Awami League’s camp.
Abbas also said those who are trying to push BNP toward the Awami League should look at themselves in the mirror, reflect on their inner selves, and refrain from deceiving the people.
He recalled how BNP leaders and workers across the country had struggled on the streets to restore democracy, enduring premature deaths, killings, enforced disappearances, imprisonment, and various forms of persecution.
“They (the quarter) now want to push us into another camp. What is the purpose? Do you want to align us with the Awami League? Never think about this, as our party leaders and workers are the vigilant guards of the country’s independence and sovereignty,” Abbas said.
He said many people claim that the BNP is only focused on elections. “But we’re not just focused on elections. Some bloggers, from abroad, try to run the country. They speak as if what they say must become reality in Bangladesh... Please don’t use your intelligence to create division among the nation. Try to bring peace to the country.”
The BNP leader also called upon the bloggers to use their wisdom and intellect to help build the country, not to blame the BNP.
Abbas said many are claiming that BNP has become jealous because a new party is being launched by the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
“Those who say this are enemies of the nation. Whether a new party is formed or not depends on those trying to create it. Once a new party is formed, you will see the BNP's role. If a new party is formed, we welcome it,” he said.
The BNP leader said those who form a party will lead the country through a democratic process, but urged them not to confuse the public with their baseless remarks.
BNP leaders and workers marked the 10th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko with various programmes.
The party leaders and workers, led by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, placed a wreath at Koko’s grave in Banani in the morning on the occasion.
MSH
