A day after audio clips of Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s two telephone conversations were leaked, the leader has claimed there was nothing provocative and conspiratorial in either of his conversations.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Manna acknowledged he did have a phone conversation about the ongoing political movement with BNP Vice-Chairman Sadeque Hossain Khoka, but said there was no conspiracy or bad intention in that conversation.
“I am surprised, saddened, and shocked by the overall incident. In my political life, I have never harboured violence and conspiracy,” the post read.
Manna – a former Awami League leader – requested people to carefully listen to his telephone conversations and read the transcripts to find that “there was no hint of conspiracy or provocation there.”
He added: “Character assassination of anyone will intensify in the prevailing crisis. I hope everyone will use their good sense and face the crisis positively.”
On Sunday, two audio clips of Manna were leaked: One where he spoke to Khoka, and another where he was heard speaking to an unidentified person – discussing plans to meet army officers.
Manna was heard briefing Khoka, who has been living in the US for the last eight months, about his plans to bring out a march from National Press Club on February 23. Following that, he reportedly advised Khoka to send his people for a massive showdown at Dhaka University.
“If possible, take over a few halls in a huge head-on confrontation. Maybe a few will die on both sides, but if a few halls can be taken over, it will shake up the government,” Manna is heard advising Khoka.
But the BNP leader was found to be somewhat reluctant, fearing subsequent massive police action.
Throughout the conversation, Manna asked Khoka to “tell your people” to join Nagarik Oikya programmes.
“It will strengthen the democratic movement at the end of the day,” Manna was heard telling Khoka.
Meanwhile, Manna’s political platform Nagorik Oikya postponed its rally yesterday, only minutes after it began at the National Press Club. Nazmul Hasan, convener of Nagorik Chhatra Oikya, announced the postponement of the rally due to unavoidable circumstances, saying Manna was feeling ill.
‘Manna’s move unconstitutional’
Following the conversation leaks, Awami League Publication and Publicity Secretary Hasan Mahmud warned Manna to be careful about his unconstitutional move against the government.
“Khoka has acknowledged the BNP-Jamaat alliance’s violence in the country. The citizens are now informed about the persons [Manna and other civil society members] who have urged the government to sit with the saboteurs [BNP-Jamaat]. We urge those persons to be alert,” he said.
Hasan Mahmud made the call while speaking at a human chain, organised by Bangladesh Swadhinata Parishad, in front of the National Press Club yesterday.
‘Manna will receive mass beating’
Meanwhile, Chhatra League, the student wing of Awami League, has threatened to hand a mass beating to Manna for his statement on the Dhaka University.
“Manna, a former student of Dhaka University and former general secretary of Ducsu, has been declared unwelcome at Dhaka University, and he will be a victim of a mass beating if he is seen anywhere [on campus],” Siddique Nazmul Alam, general secretary of Chhatra League, said yesterday.
“Manna provokes BNP-Jamat to create anarchy in the country by killing innocent people. As part of Manna’s conspiracy, he told Khoka to kill DU students,” Nazmul told a demonstration in front of Oporajeyo Bangla.
Terming Manna a black sheep, he also urged DU authorities to confiscate Manna’s academic certificates.
