Abbas fears interim govt may use illegal means to secure win for 'Jamaat, NCP'

Senior BNP leader Mirza Abbas today (4 November) voiced deep concern that the interim government might resort to 'unlawful means' to secure victories for the two parties it now relies on — hinting at Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP).

"The way this government is acting, it's clear they have no strength of their own. This government survives by leaning towards two parties — one is a party they themselves created and the other is an old one," he said while addressing a discussion and doa and milad mahfil.

Abbas, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said the interim government does whatever these two parties tell it to do.

"The latest proof is the (allocation of the NCP's) election symbol. The government is doing whatever they say. Who are these people? Where did they come from? What is their popular base? Do they have any support anywhere in Bangladesh?" he said.

The BNP leader also said that if an election had been held, it would have become clear how many votes each side would get.

"I am deeply worried that the government may resort to illegal means to ensure the victory of these parties. Just like the previous Awami League government that held midnight voting instead of daytime voting, this government may also indulge in any such acts," he said.

Dhaka South City unit BNP organised the programme at Nayapaltan Ananda Community Centre, marking the 6th death anniversary of former BNP Vice Chairman and the last mayor of undivided Dhaka city Sadeque Hossain Khoka.

In an oblique reference to Jamaat, Abbas questioned whom the citizens of this country do not consider necessary, and are now making such long speeches. "Those who never wanted Bangladesh in the first place now want to rule it. I simply can't understand that."

He said this party opposed the creation of Pakistan in 1947, opposed Bangladesh in 1971, and in 1996 and several other times spoke against the interests of the people. "Yet, they are now talking big.

The BNP leader also accused Jamaat of trying to divide the nation by using religion in politics. "We will not let the nation be divided. But there is a section of people who want to split the nation for their own gain."

He said those who want to divide the nation also want to bring back the Awami fascist force that ruined the country. "The people of Bangladesh will never allow that to happen."

"Look closely, and you'll see they are so excited because they assume they will get the Awami League's votes. But that is not true. The people loyal to the Awami League will not vote for anyone else. They will vote for a patriotic party," Abbas said.

He lamented that the country is now in a terrible state for lack of good governance.

"Who owns the country? Who runs it? It feels as if the country has no owner — no one is looking after it. Everyone is just busy talking about reform, reform, and reform! But what exactly are you reforming? I don't understand that," the BNP leader said.

He said many people are now coming to Dhaka in search of work due to rising unemployment across the country, making it difficult for pedestrians to even walk on the footpaths because of the huge crowds.

The BNP leader said many people have set up shops on the pavements, causing problems for ordinary citizens. "If you pay attention — when you drive or take a bus — you'll see there are now lots of battery-run rickshaws everywhere. These people are unemployed and looking for work, so they have turned to this."

Abbas said the interim government has no initiative to solve the problems of unemployed people in the country. "Instead, they have turned everything upside down, creating opportunities for a section of people to plunder the country. A new class is now thinking only of looting and destroying the nation."

He said those who never dared to raise their heads before are now speaking arrogantly. "Where did they get this boldness and power from?"

About BNP's announcement of 237 candidates for the upcoming national election, Abbas said many capable aspirants could not be nominated because of the presence of several similar candidates.

He said those who did not get nomination are naturally disappointed, but urged everyone to work together to ensure the victory of the party's candidates.