Dhaka, Jan 24 (V7N) – BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, was the victim of a "kind of murder" orchestrated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Rizvi made this claim on Friday morning while paying homage at Koko's grave in Banani on the occasion of his 10th death anniversary.

Speaking to reporters after offering prayers, Rizvi accused the ruling Awami League of using political power to harm Koko. "The circumstances that led to his untimely demise were not accidental but deliberate," he said, without elaborating on the specifics of his claim.

Addressing the current political climate, Rizvi criticized the role of the interim government, emphasizing that its primary duty should be to act as a neutral body to ensure fair elections. "The interim government is expected to maintain neutrality, but if it loses impartiality or forms a 'King's Party,' politicians have every right to question its legitimacy," he remarked.

He further stated, "The interim government is a temporary arrangement to hold elections. It cannot become a permanent system or a tool to bypass democracy."

Rizvi’s comments come amid escalating political tension in Bangladesh as debates over electoral reforms and interim governance intensify ahead of the national elections. The BNP continues to demand a fully neutral caretaker government to oversee the polls, accusing the current system of being biased toward the ruling party.

Arafat Rahman Koko passed away on January 24, 2015, in Malaysia due to a heart attack. His death has been a contentious issue, with the BNP often alleging that political persecution during his exile contributed to his declining health.

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