A force is finding new ways to stay in power: Amir Khusro

 BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that a force is finding new ways to stay in power; but the fascists could not stand. The people of Bangladesh are ready to ensure that this force cannot stand either.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told the media while exchanging Eid greetings with leaders and activists on Tuesday morning. A reception was organized at his residence in Mehedibagh, Chittagong city. Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP, its affiliates and affiliated organizations participated in this event. Various types of food were arranged for them.

At that time, former Commerce Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that no one can change this fascist-free Bangladesh. So that no fascist can, so that no other force can.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury mentioned that after the fall of the fascists, the election wind is blowing in the country now. He said, today everyone is happy and excited. A festive atmosphere is visible. They are getting a taste of democracy. But it has not come in its entirety. Now you can see the election atmosphere. Everyone is showing enthusiasm and interest in the election. Everyone feels that the country is heading towards the election. The way elections are held here in a festive atmosphere, today it seems that the people of Bangladesh are moving towards that joyful atmosphere of elections after many years.

Talking about the struggle of the last 16 years, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, "The desire for which I have been fighting for 16-17 years, for independence and democracy, is that the parliament-government will be run by the elected representatives of the people, who will be accountable to the people. People are constantly waiting for that desire to be fulfilled. So today's environment is completely different compared to the past years. This is Bangladesh. This Bangladesh must be kept like this."

Discussions with army as political interference: Hasnat Abdullah

National Citizens Party (NCP) Chief Organizer (South) Hasnat Abdullah speaks at a press conference. This Friday at the National Citizens Party (NCP) office at Rupayan Tower in Bangla Motor in the capital. Photo: Prothom Alo

Jatiya Nagorik Party Chief Organizer (South) Hasnat Abdullah said that they consider the discussions held with the higher authorities of the army at the cantonment as interference in political matters. He said this at an emergency press conference at the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) office at Rupayan Tower in Bangla Motor in the capital on Friday.

Responding to a question on this matter, Hasnat Abdullah said, ‘The discussions held with us by the higher authorities of the army. We think that is interference in political matters.’ In this context, he further said, ‘Politics will be decided by politicians—the course of political events or whatever is going on, the direction in which politics will go next, should be in the hands of politicians. So, we had to give my status yesterday because we are skeptical about that.’

Hasnat mentioned that the status he gave on Facebook on Thursday night contained everything about the discussions with the higher officials of the army. In that status, Hasnat Abdullah wrote, "A plan is underway to bring a new conspiracy called 'Refined Awami League'. This plan is completely Indian. This plan is being prepared keeping Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Shirin Sharmin and Taposh in mind. Stating that such a plan was presented to Hasnat Abdullah and two others at the cantonment on March 11, he wrote, "We were offered to accept this proposal in exchange for a seat deal. We were told that this proposal has already been made to several political parties. They have agreed to rehabilitate the Awami League on a conditional basis. Isn't it better to have several opposition parties including a weak Awami League than to have one opposition party?"

In response to the question of why he went to the military base, Hasnat Abdullah said, "You know that currently the army has been given magisterial power. Many of us have questions about the law and order situation. We were called to talk about these issues. A few days ago, you saw a statement by the army chief, which I personally or many of us, have talked about in the country that it has been considered as inappropriate in the political sphere. The way the head of the interim government has been addressed, the inclusive elections that have been hinted at, and the Awami League has been discussed in general, I have gone for it.’

In response to a question from journalists whether they are currently feeling a security risk, Hasnat Abdullah said, ‘Look, before August 5, we had a movement with the students and the public. There was an anti-fascist force, an agency. The government was against us, then we repeatedly said that the fight is ongoing, that fight is still ongoing. As long as the anti-fascist political parties remain united, I do not feel any security risk.’

Regarding the demand to ban the Awami League, Hasnat said, ‘After August 5, have you seen anywhere that the Awami League has felt remorse? They have not even admitted that they are carrying out a genocide. We want to say clearly from our place, Awami League must first ensure justice, it must ensure justice as a party. It must admit the crime, then there may be any other discussion, no discussion before that.’

The leader of the National Citizen Party further said, ‘We said after August 5 that the name, brand and ideology of Awami League are irrelevant. If there is any attempt here from a foreign conspiracy or a domestic conspiracy or agency, in that case, we students are committed (committed), those who have been tortured, oppressed, murdered, their families, no reform of the Awami League cannot be allowed.’

People will not accept delaying the elections

 BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said that the people will not accept the excuse of delaying the elections. Even though the interim government's term has passed 6 months, they are not announcing a specific date for the national elections. Long delays in the name of reforms are not desirable under any circumstances.

Nazrul Islam Khan said these words while speaking as the chief guest at a prayer and iftar mahfil organized by Bhashani Anusari Parishad on Sunday. The event was organized at a hotel in Shantinagar in the capital.

In his speech at the event, Bhashani Anusari Parishad convener and freedom fighter Sheikh Rafiqul Islam said, "The current law and order situation in the country is worrisome. There is no way to overcome such a situation without an elected government." He demanded the immediate announcement of the election date.

Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, Mass Solidarity Movement Chief Coordinator Jonayed Saki, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud, Gono Forum General Secretary Subrata Chowdhury, BNP Joint Secretary General Moazzem Hossain, among others, were present at the iftar mahfil.