Madaripur, August 13 (V7N) – Khairul Kabir Khokon, Joint Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has warned that a loss of political stability could result in a recurrence of a crisis similar to the one experienced in 2007, commonly referred to in Bangladesh as the “One-Eleven” scenario.

Speaking at a BNP membership renewal and recruitment event at the Municipal Community Center on Wednesday afternoon, Khokon addressed grassroots party members, referencing the military-backed caretaker government that took control on January 11, 2007. “Understand what One-Eleven means—it happened under the Awami League-backed government scenario in 2007. Our leader Begum Khaleda Zia was forced to leave the country. Tarique Rahman was thrown from the third floor and had his bones broken,” he said.

Khokon cautioned that internal divisions within BNP could once again open the door to such political upheavals. The event was part of a nationwide party initiative directed by BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, aiming to reorganize and strengthen the party's grassroots through renewed membership drives across districts and constituencies.

Khokon also accused the current Awami League government of backing what he called a “King’s Party,” referring to the Nationalist Citizens' Party (NCP). According to him, the NCP, despite not being officially in government, continues to enjoy state facilities and influence. “They are receiving protocol, exerting influence in the offices of DCs, SPs, and OCs. They’re controlling businesses, five-star hotels, everything,” he claimed.

He further alleged that the NCP is working to prevent any election until their demands for reforms and trials are met. “For the last 16 years, BNP has fought for restoring the people’s right to vote. This nation can never be safe under an unelected regime,” he emphasized.

The event was presided over by BNP’s Central Organizing Secretary Shama Obaid and moderated by Sirajul Islam Khan, a member of the Madaripur district membership renewal committee.

Among the special guests were BNP central leaders including Assistant Organizing Secretary Selimuzzaman Selim, Assistant Organizing Secretary Khondokar Mashukur Rahman Masuk, Assistant Secretary for Education Helen Zerin Khan, Assistant Secretary for Mass Education Anisur Rahman Talukdar Khokon, and member Kazi Humayun Kabir.

District-level leaders including Convenor Advocate Zafar Ali Mia, Joint Convenors Advocate Jaminul Hossain Mithu and Mizanur Rahman Murad, as well as notable businessman and BNP figure Kamal Zaman Molla and former Member of Parliament Nabila Chowdhury, were also present.

This gathering is one in a series of efforts by BNP to regain political momentum and prepare its organizational structure ahead of any future electoral contest, amidst what the party views as a restrictive and biased political environment.

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