Dhaka, June 28 (V7N) – Zainul Abedin Farroque, a member of the BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council, alleged on Friday that the Awami League government is sheltering many corrupt individuals, including former police chief Benazir Ahmed and former army chief Aziz Ahmed.

"Where are Benazir (former police chief Benazir Ahmed) and Aziz (former army chief Aziz Ahmed) today?" Farroque questioned while speaking at a demonstration. He also mentioned new figures like National Board of Revenue first secretary [Taxes Legal and Enforcement] Quazi Abu Mahmud Faisal as emerging corrupt individuals.

Farroque accused the government of protecting these individuals, who he claimed have accumulated significant wealth through corruption and invested it in properties abroad, including luxurious homes with swimming pools. He warned that the public would not forgive the government unless these individuals were exposed.

The BNP leader, a former opposition chief whip in parliament, also criticized the Awami League general secretary for defending the government amid increasing corruption allegations.

“The people of Bangladesh are very conscious. You’re in power with the support of a few bureaucrats. You have not been able to win over the people of Bangladesh for a single day,” Farroque asserted.

The demonstration was organized by Projonmo Bangladesh, a pro-opposition platform, in front of the Jatiya Press Club to protest against what they called the ‘illegitimate government's illegal agreement with India.'

Farroque claimed that the ruling party, which he described as coming to power through a sham election, has repeated similar processes in upazila polls, favoring relatives of Awami League leaders and disregarding the will of the people.

“Awami League, which destroyed democracy by standing in parliament for five minutes and making MPs by bringing ballot boxes by helicopter, has once again usurped power through controversial elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024,” he said.

He also opposed the Indian government's plan to develop a railway network through Bangladesh to connect the northeast region with the rest of India, calling the agreements unequal and unacceptable to the people of Bangladesh.

“I would like to say that we won’t accept these unequal agreements with India. The country’s people can’t accept them. Revoke these unfair deals,” he demanded.

Farroque urged the BNP to announce more rigorous programs to mobilize the public against these agreements with India.

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