BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas has alleged that the interim government has worsened the country’s condition even more than Sheikh Hasina’s rule.
“Hasina struck twelve, but this government has struck twenty-four,” he said at a discussion on Saturday afternoon.
Abbas made the remarks during a program organized by the nationalist socio-cultural organization JASAS at BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka. The event marked the first anniversary of the people’s uprising and was arranged by JASAS’s Dhaka Metropolitan South branch.
“There is so much to say, but I cannot say everything from this platform and my position,” Abbas said. “I know how the country has suffered, who embezzled what, and how much money was looted or spent—evidence is available. But I am not ready to speak now from where I stand.”
He condemned attempts to blame BNP for various incidents of unrest, saying, “Wherever there is murder, looting, or extortion, one party names BNP. This is a deliberate attempt to tarnish BNP’s image and put the party in the dock before the people. We understand this very well.”
Addressing the newly formed political party, National Citizens Party (NCP), Abbas said, “You have ambitions to come to power, and so do we. If people vote for us, we will form the government; if not, we will accept your rule. But we want elections. BNP has fought for elections and democracy for the past 17 years.”
He also accused some political parties of opposing elections, saying, “Some talk about elections but do not truly support them because they believe BNP will come to power if elections are held. Some use illegal means to prevent elections.”
Abbas added that BNP has never ruled the country but had always sought and would continue to seek to govern.
Regarding the July 36 movement, Abbas said, “Many say it was Bangladesh’s second independence. Bangladesh became independent once, in 1971, at the cost of millions of lives. Some say one thing should have happened before another, but what really matters is that those responsible for killings in July and August—whether from the administration, common people, Sheikh Hasina, or others—must be brought to justice.”
He added, “Justice takes time. Justice and elections can proceed simultaneously. There is no problem with both happening side by side. But don’t say elections should be held before justice.”
Mirza Abbas also accused the Awami League of conspiring with India, saying, “There is a plot against Bangladesh from India. They want to create unrest here and will not allow elections. That is their intention.”
The discussion was chaired by JASAS Dhaka Metropolitan South acting president Showkat Aziz. Other speakers included BNP joint secretary general Abdus Salam, public manpower secretary M A Malek, JASAS central committee convener Helal Uddin, and Abdur Rab Mia, father of Miraj, a martyr of the people’s uprising.
The session ended with a cultural program featuring JASAS artists.