Senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders on Friday claimed that the Awami League has become the people's enemy, criticizing its misuse of public funds and attacks on opposition leaders through the police force.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, prior to a black flag procession at Shyamoli in Dhaka, said Awami League is now opposing the people of Bangladesh.
“No one can triumph against the people,” he asserted.
Government misusing public funds
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury criticized the government for purportedly using public funds to seek membership in the BRICS during their trip to South Africa, in which they were unsuccessful.
“Travelling there, campaigning with their party symbol - the boat, and defaming the BNP will not work. Bilateral meetings are not typically held in third countries, and they have not conducted bilateral meetings with other nations," he said.
Amir Khasru further said that the current government, in its bid to maintain future control, has formed a regime in collaboration with administrators and judges.
“They are punishing the people through biased judgments, making arrests, and framing them with false charges. They are engaging in new tactics of terror,” he said.
“There is no militant group more significant than the Awami League, nor is there any global terrorist organization larger than them. They should no longer remain in power," he concluded.
Mirza Abbas alleges drama in name of justice
BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas, in another flag procession in front of the party’s central office at Naya Paltan, said that ill-informed individuals are using public funds to attack opposition leaders and activists.
Criticizing the government's actions, he said that they are staging a farce in the name of justice, adding that opposition activists are reportedly being beaten to death in jail.
"These ill-informed individuals are driving the country towards ruin. Their allegiance is not to the nation but to money," he remarked.
"For a long time, we have been demanding lower prices for gas, water, electricity, and essential commodities. But the government is not listening. Now, an egg costs Tk15. Why? Has the hen stopped laying eggs?” Mirza Abbas questioned.
“The reason is that the value of money has decreased. Now, Tk100 has depreciated by Tk14. Those who have kept money in the bank will find that 14% is missing. Electricity meters are being tampered with. The government is making people financially crippled," he alleged.
The BNP senior leader said: "When we opposed the Pakistanis, advocating for voting rights and freedom of speech, they responded with bullets against the Bangali people and used charged batons.
“They were the police of Pakistan. Today, when we talk about development, voting rights, and reducing the prices of essentials, a certain law enforcement group here retaliates with force, even firing at us,” he said.
“We are speaking for Bangladesh. Are you a colonial, foreign police force?" Mirza Abbas questioned.
India’s statement intentional
In a subtle reference to India, Mirza Abbas said: "Several countries are concerned about Bangladesh. I am unaware of their specific interests. However, there is a particular country that clearly states that the government under Sheikh Hasina cannot be removed. This statement is intentional."
"This is our country. People must understand why a government needs to remain in power. To the nations making these statements, I want to say, befriend not just the government, BNP, or Awami League, but the people of Bangladesh. Learn to love the people of this country
“As a neighbouring country, build relations with our people. If our people do not like you, you will never be able to achieve anything here," Mirza Abbas said.
"If this government does not step down, the people will not survive. Our independence will be lost," he added.
Black flag procession ends
Dhaka North and South units of the BNP brought out the black flag process on Friday to drive home its demand for the resignation of the Awami League government and election under a neutral or caretaker government.
Dhaka North unit of BNP brought out the procession at 4pm, led by Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.
The procession started from the front of Shyamoli Club ground, passed the Shia Mosque, Mohammadpur bus stand, Taj Mahal Road, Noorjahan Road and ended at the Bosila intersection.
Meanwhile, the party’s Dhaka South unit members have also brought out a procession with black flags in front of the party's headquarters at Naya Paltan to press home the same demand at 4:20pm.
The procession of this chapter of the BNP concluded at Dayaganj.