Rizvi questions GM Quader's role in politics after July Uprising
"Awami League cohorts entrenched at various levels and are actively engaged in obstructing a free and fair election through diverse tactics and far-reaching conspiracies," he says
Highlights
- Rizvi questions GM Quader's role in politics after July Uprising
- Rizvi calls attack on Nurul Haque Nur premeditated
- BNP alleges defeated forces of 5 August plotting again
- EC assures BNP of preparations for fair and participatory polls
- BNP demands impartial probe into attack on Nur
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned the role of Jatiyo Party and its chairman GM Quader in Bangladesh's politics following the recent July Uprising.
"It is surprising that they [Jatiyo Party] even talk about politics in Bangladesh," he told journalists after visiting Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur at Dhaka Medical College Hospital today (31 August).
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"Before the last election, GM Quader came back from India and said, 'Nothing can be said without India's permission.' How can such a person do politics here? How can he still speak? They don't believe in this country," Rizvi added.
The BNP leader strongly condemned the recent attack on Nur, calling it premeditated. "I believe the assault was planned, with the intention to kill him. Nur was a target of the fascist Hasina regime," he alleged.
Referring to the protest where Nur was injured, Rizvi said, "There was no violence or terrorist activity at that event. Yet, this brutal attack took place, which I see as part of a larger conspiracy."
He further claimed that the "defeated forces of 5 August" were now attempting to reassert themselves through various plots.
On calls to ban the Jatiyo Party, Rizvi said the matter would be decided by his party.
"The accomplices of fascism will never allow Bangladesh's independence, sovereignty, and democracy to be stable," Rizvi said, alleging that large sums of money were being funnelled into such efforts, while looted wealth continued to benefit the ruling circle.
Wishing Nur a speedy recovery, he urged that he be sent abroad for advanced medical treatment if necessary.
'Awami cohorts out to obstruct free, fair polls'
Earlier today, speaking to journalists after a meeting with two election commissioners, Rizvi alleged that although the Election Commission (EC) is an independent and autonomous body, Awami League cohorts remain entrenched at various levels and are actively engaged in obstructing a free and fair election through diverse tactics and far-reaching conspiracies.
"Similar issues are also being observed within the civil administration, which prompted the BNP to question EC what role these cohorts are playing and whether they are creating obstacles," he said.
"The current EC is capable of holding a free, fair and participatory election, and, for the moment, I have not seen any lack of sincerity on their part," he added.
A BNP delegation, led by Rizvi as member secretary of the party's Delimitation Review Committee, visited the Election Commission building. He was accompanied by Ismail Jabiullah, BNP chairperson's adviser and former secretary Ismail Jabiullah.
The delegation met with Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud and Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar.
Rizvi, however, did not disclose what response the BNP received from the commission.
He further said, "We raised questions with Election Commissioner Anwarul, who is responsible for the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies. We asked him about the extent to which a truly free and fair election is possible, since doubts still remain. Does this commission have the capacity to deliver such an election? These are the issues we wanted to clarify.
"They, however, assured us that they are fully prepared."
Rizvi continued, "We also enquired about the voting rights of expatriates — whether they will be able to vote and what progress has been made. They informed us that work is ongoing to facilitate their voting through postal ballots. We also discussed the latest situation regarding constituency delimitation."
On demands from some parties concerning the proportional representation (PR) system, he said, "The Commission is taking the necessary steps to ensure a fair election. They are carrying out their duties as mandated by the Constitution. Our purpose was mainly to learn about their level of preparation.
"Public trust must be restored through the statutory provisions and laws enshrined in the RPO. The Commission has expressed its commitment to ensuring that the confidence lost over the past 16 years is restored."
Condemning the recent attack on former Dhaka University VP Nurul Haque Nur, Rizvi said, "He is a known political figure and has played a role in the anti-fascist movement. The way such a responsible political leader has been attacked is undoubtedly condemnable. Such acts can never occur in a democratic country.
"On behalf of our party, our acting chairperson and the secretary general have already said that a fair and impartial investigation must be carried out, and that those responsible must face action."
