Jhalakathi, Jan 24, (V7N) - BNP Central Executive Committee’s Religious Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam Jamal has alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other Awami League leaders have been involved in looting the country’s banks and laundering thousands of crores of taka abroad over the past 17 years. Speaking at a public meeting, Jamal claimed that while Awami League leaders fled during the 1969 uprising and the Liberation War, Khaleda Zia stood firm, with Ziaur Rahman leading the war effort.

The rally, organized by the Nalchiti Upazila Volunteer Team, was held at the Nalchiti Merchants Secondary School grounds in Jhalakathi on Friday afternoon. Jamal attended as the chief guest, while Upazila Volunteer Party President Touhid Alam Manna presided over the event.

The keynote speaker, BNP Central Executive Committee Co-Organizing Secretary Mahabubul Haque Nannu, accused Sheikh Hasina of poisoning Khaleda Zia during her imprisonment and endangering her life. “But Allah saved her,” Nannu remarked.

Other prominent speakers included Central Executive Committee member Jiba Amina Al Ghazi, former Jhalakathi-2 MP Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto, and former district BNP president and freedom fighter Mustafa Kamal Montu. The event was moderated by Upazila Volunteer Party General Secretary Saidul Kabir Rana.

Additional speeches came from notable leaders such as former Jubo Dal Central Committee Joint General Secretary Kamrul Islam, Swechchhasebak Dal Central Committee Joint General Secretary ZI Kamal, Central Jubo Dal Social Welfare Secretary Jahirul Islam Sumon, Nalchiti Upazila BNP President Anichur Rahman Khan Helal, and others.

The public meeting served as a platform to protest against what BNP called the "anti-national conspiracies" and to demand implementation of the party’s 31-point plan for reforming the state structure. Thousands of leaders and activists from various BNP affiliates, including Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Sramik Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal, attended the gathering.