Dire consequences if courts used for partisan agenda: Nahid Islam 

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has warned of "dire consequences" if attempts are made to use the judiciary as a tool to implement partisan or political agendas.

"Such attempts in the past had marked the beginning of the downfall of the Awami League," said Nahid, also the opposition chief whip, at an iftar event today (2 March) organised by the NCP at a convention hall in Chattogram.

Calling for the judiciary to remain neutral, Nahid raised questions on efforts to use courts to nullify public mandate that led to the election and formation of the new government, which he said were based on the July Charter and the verdict of the referendum. 

With local government elections approaching, the Dhaka-11 lawmaker urged party leaders and activists to begin preparations from now, saying the party's struggle against corruption and hegemony was not over. 

Among others, the party's Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain MP, Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah MP, and Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary spoke at the event as special guests.

Nasiruddin said drug abuse had become a major social crisis and called for strict enforcement of the law and the building of a social movement to address the issue.

Hasnat Abdullah, along with other central and local leaders, emphasised political reforms, accountability and the creation of a tolerant political environment.

The leaders said the party would work consistently to make the judiciary, the electoral process and state institutions effective and neutral. 

They also reiterated a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, crime and extortion.