BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Tuesday expressed grave concern that the interim government might resort to “illegal means” to secure electoral victories for the two parties it currently depends on; Jamaat-e-Islami and Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP).
Speaking at a discussion and milad mahfil in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan Ananda Community Centre, organised by Dhaka South City BNP to mark the sixth death anniversary of former BNP vice-chairman and ex-Dhaka mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, Abbas accused the interim government of acting at the behest of those two parties.

“The way this government operates shows it has no strength of its own. It survives by leaning on two parties; one it created itself and another that has long existed. The latest example is the allocation of the NCP’s election symbol. The government must do whatever these parties dictate,” Abbas said.

He questioned the legitimacy of Jamaat and NCP’s political base, asking, “Who are these people? Where did they come from? Do they have any real support in Bangladesh?”

The BNP standing committee member warned that the interim administration might follow the path of the previous Awami League government by using underhanded tactics.

“I fear they may use illegal methods to ensure victory for these parties; just as the former government held midnight voting instead of daytime voting,” he added.

Indirectly referring to Jamaat, Abbas said, “Those who never wanted Bangladesh to exist are now aspiring to rule it. They opposed Pakistan’s creation in 1947, opposed Bangladesh in 1971, and repeatedly acted against the people’s interests; yet today, they speak the loudest.”

He accused Jamaat of trying to divide the nation by using religion in politics.“We will not allow anyone to split the nation for their own gain,” he said, adding that some groups were attempting to restore “Awami fascist force” that, he claimed, had devastated the country.

Abbas also criticised the government’s lack of governance and economic mismanagement.“The country feels ownerless; no one is taking responsibility. Everyone keeps talking about reform, but what exactly are they reforming?” he asked.

He pointed out that rising unemployment has forced many people to migrate to Dhaka in search of work, overcrowding streets and footpaths.
“Many are opening small shops or driving battery-run rickshaws to survive, yet the government has taken no initiative to solve the unemployment crisis,” he said.

Abbas alleged that the interim authorities have instead created opportunities for corruption and looting, saying, “A new class of people has emerged; one that only thinks about plundering the nation.”
On BNP’s announcement of 237 candidates for the upcoming national election, Abbas admitted that many qualified aspirants could not be nominated due to overlapping candidacies but urged all party members to unite and work for the success of BNP’s chosen candidates.
“Some are disappointed, which is natural,” he said, “but this is the time to stand together and fight to ensure victory for the party.”