BNP Standing Committee Member AZM Zahid Hossain on Friday urged the nation to stay alert, saying those who are conspiring against the restoration of democracy are secretly continuing their evil activities.
"It is our responsibility to expose the conspirators who are hiding among us and trying to block the path to democracy. We are seeing a web of conspiracy being spread in many ways, very cunningly," he said at a rally.
The senior BNP leader added that the interim government should have empowered people by quickly reforming institutions in ruin, such as the Election Commission, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary, and by holding credible national elections to restore democracy and stability, UNB reports.
He made the remarks at a rally, protesting a conspiracy to destroy the country's democratic atmosphere, organised by the Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
Referring to the brutal killing of a scrap trader in Old Dhaka on July 9, Hossain said the BNP and its affiliated organisations took immediate action and demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits.
"Still, false allegations are being made against our leader Tarique Rahman. Don't you realise what you're doing? Why are you playing with fire? Why are you trying to ruin the country's political culture by acting as puppets of others? Everyone must stay alert and have patience. We must not fall into the trap of these conspirators," he said.
The BNP leader also said some political parties are trying to delay the democratic process by bringing up the proportional representation (PR) system and local government elections.
"You keep talking about PR and local body polls. But we have been fighting for a national election, not for local elections. PR has never been used in Bangladesh in the last 54 years ... so why are you trying to create confusion and conflict by suddenly raising these issues? It looks like some of you are trying to delay democracy because you have other interests," he said.
Hossain reminded that if anyone tries to keep the people powerless for too long, the public will rise up. "And when that happens, those responsible will burn to ashes in the fire of people's anger."
He urged everyone to remain patient and united, as they were when resisting autocracy and during the mass uprising last year.
"In the same way, this fight to restore democracy will lead to elections in February. The conspirators will not succeed under any circumstances."
Referring to the attack on the NCP's programme in Gopalganj, the BNP leader said the government and law enforcement agencies completely failed there to handle the situation.
He claimed such an incident could not have happened without a conspiracy behind it.
The BNP leader pointed out that NCP held a peaceful programme in Faridpur where nothing happened.
"Gopalganj, Faridpur, Rajbari – they are all close to each other. You went to Narail, nothing happened. You're moving around the country, and nothing is happening anywhere. Then why only in Gopalganj? So, while blaming the autocracy's supporters is correct, we must also expose those within us who are secretly working to destroy democracy," he said.
He also criticised the government's failure to prevent recent violent incidents, including mob violence, despite the deployment of the army with magistracy powers.
Hossain added that the role of professionals during the July-August movement could not be ignored. "They stood in the fight to restore democracy. But now, when we see political leaders divided over small personal interests, it's very sad."
Comments