Dhaka //

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas said, ‘Our country is in a very bad situation now. The people of the country, the nation, every leader and worker of the party needs to be united. If the people of Bangladesh can be divided, this country will have to fall into the hands of Indian hegemony again. There may be differences between our political parties. But, whatever the party, BNP-Jamaat, NCP and all other parties must remain united in national interest, in the interest of the country.’

He said these things at a discussion titled ‘Democracy, Reforms and Reality in the Current Context’ organized by the Democracy Forum at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club on Wednesday.

Regarding Tarique Rahman, Mirza Abbas said, ‘We see a lot of difference between the way we saw him twenty years ago and twenty years later. Today, Tarique Rahman is truly fulfilling the duties of the acting chairman of BNP and is fulfilling them correctly. Those who once did not like him are now forced to say that Tarique Rahman has matured. We like to hear this.’

This member of the BNP standing committee said, ‘Today, one issue has come up for discussion in the country; elections or reforms. However, I want to say that the only alternative to elections can be elections. There can be nothing else. The alternative to elections is elections. If we talk about it now, it will be said that Mirza Abbas speaks against reforms and does not want reforms. But no, we want the reforms that are needed for us, for the elections, for the country, for the people of the country.’

He said, ‘I once said that all the reforms that you are talking about cannot be accepted. Twisting that statement, our so-called journalist based abroad said that BNP does not want reforms, Mirza Abbas does not want reforms. What is more, the person whose health and appearance have improved by eating Salman F. Rahman’s money often comes on Facebook and says, why won’t Mirza Abbas accept it? I want to say, just as you have the right to speak while fleeing abroad, do I not have the right to speak while in the country?’ I have been in jail in this country with my colleagues facing death penalty. I did not flee. You are running away and talking at length. I want to say with respect to you, those who are outside the country, those who are YouTubers; brother, we will leave politics, you come to the country. You have a lot of knowledge, a lot of intelligence. We need your knowledge and intelligence a lot. Please come to the country. Give intelligence, speak, work, we will accept it.’

Mirza Abbas said, ‘Someone from the NCP said, it is not possible to hold elections now. Because BNP people are sitting in every place in the administration. Hey brother, Awami League ruled the country for 17 years, where did you find BNP people? I do not understand. You are saying all these things like children.’

He said, ‘Recently, a group is trying to say on Facebook that BNP is trying to rehabilitate Awami League. Hey brother, I have been going crazy with their (Awami League) pain for 17 years. I have suffered from unrest with my family. Many BNP families have been destroyed due to the oppression of the Awami League. Rather, I want to say that our struggle will continue against those who try to rehabilitate the Awami League in the country. The Awami League cannot have a place in this country. And all the leaders and workers of the Awami League, including Sheikh Hasina, and the administration personnel, they all have to be tried.’

Addressing the social media activists, he said, ‘Their job is to create an unstable environment in the country. We have to be careful of them. The conscience of the nation has not yet been blinded. Everything has not ended with the words of one or two people. It will not end.’

Addressing Dr. Yunus, Mirza Abbas said, ‘A few days ago, a person named Shafiur Rahman was appointed. This is a product of the Awami League. But you (Dr. Yunus) have more Awami League products on your right and left. You should be careful of them. There are four secretaries in the secretariat, another secretary in the rank of secretary, these five people in total and some people in your advisory council will not let you walk on the right path. They will destroy your entire life’s achievements. Please be careful of them. We want to protect your honor and make the country beautiful. If you succeed, the country will be better. We want your success. The independence and sovereignty of our country depends on your success.’

Presided over by Democracy Forum President VP Ibrahim and moderated by General Secretary Barrister Obaidur Rahman Tipu, BNP Joint Secretary General Advocate Abdus Salam Azad, BNP Executive Committee Member Abu Naser Muhammad Rahmatullah and others were also present.

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