Dhaka, Feb 08 (V7N) – Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed its opposition to the ongoing anarchic situation across the country, stating that such incidents should not happen six months after the mass uprising. The party considers it a conspiracy to delay elections. BNP holds the interim government responsible for the violence, vandalism, and arson that have been occurring, claiming that the government has failed to control the situation. If the government does not address the unrest, the chaos could escalate further.

These statements were made during an urgent meeting of BNP's Standing Committee held on Friday at the political office of the party chairperson in Gulshan, Dhaka. The meeting was virtually presided over by party acting chairman Tarique Rahman from London. According to the meeting’s resolutions, BNP leaders will meet with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Monday to present their concerns and the party’s position. However, the party has clarified that they will not directly blame anyone for the current anarchic situation. Instead, they will address this issue through seminars and meetings to emphasize that BNP does not support the violence.

During the meeting, the Standing Committee discussed recent incidents of vandalism, including the attack on 32 Dhanmondi, and other contemporary political issues. The leaders expressed concern that these incidents are part of a conspiracy to delay the upcoming national election, seeing it as a trap. They advised party workers to avoid involvement in any violent activities and instructed them to refrain from engaging in violence such as attacks on opposition properties or the destruction of murals. The party is expecting all its members to follow these directives in the interest of the party and the nation.

A senior leader at the meeting questioned why such violence, including attacks and arson, is happening now after the mass uprising and revolution, and suggested that these acts threaten the stability of the country. The leaders also argued that the real target of this unrest is BNP and the elections, with the involvement of certain political forces trying to extend the election timeline and create unrest. They expressed concern that the actions of students, potentially supported by political parties, are aimed at gaining time to strengthen their own organizations before the election, in contrast to BNP’s demand for a swift election.

Meanwhile, domestic and international pressure for elections is rising, and BNP believes that these ongoing anarchic activities are designed to delay the elections. The Standing Committee also expressed concerns that if the situation does not improve, the interim government will not achieve its goals. The leaders stressed that the government must quickly initiate electoral reforms to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.

In the meeting, the Standing Committee members discussed the protests against the rising prices of goods and demanded that elections be held before December. They also discussed organizing public rallies at the divisional and district levels before the start of Ramadan. The BNP is likely to announce its schedule for these rallies on Monday.

The meeting highlighted that under the current government, the elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024 have been fraudulent, with people unable to vote. Therefore, BNP insists on returning the voting rights to the people and restoring democracy through free and fair elections.

The meeting was attended virtually by the party’s General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and Professor A Z M Zahid Hossain. On-site at the Gulshan political office were Dr. Khondkar Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salah Uddin Ahmed, Begum Selima Rahman, and Major (retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

BNP Calls for Government to Restore Control Over Current Situation

In a separate statement on Thursday night, BNP called on the government to take immediate action to restore order and prevent further spread of the anarchic situation. The party warned that failing to address the issue would lead to the worsening of lawlessness, which may pave the way for the resurgence of domestic and foreign anti-democratic forces, including defeated fascists.

The statement also expressed concern over the failure of the government to free the administration from the influence of fascist elements, who still occupy key positions in the judiciary and police force. The government’s inability to take effective steps to bring former autocrats and their allies to justice has raised doubts among the public, leading to growing frustration.

BNP expressed concern that, given the government's failure to curb this lawlessness, the image of the government both domestically and internationally may suffer, as the public may resort to taking the law into their own hands. The party emphasized that the mass uprising in July created expectations for the restoration of the rule of law, which should have been a priority for the current government. They also pointed out that, despite various public grievances, the government has failed to take adequate measures to prevent street protests or unrest, known as "mob culture."

BNP urges the government to act decisively to restore law and order, stating that the government’s failure to control the situation will jeopardize the stability and integrity of the country.

END/SMA/AJ/