Only Yunus doesn't want polls, says Mirza Abbas slamming CA for 'slandering BNP'

Highlights:

• Mirza Abbas accuses CA Yunus of 'slandering BNP' in Japan
• Abbas alleges Yunus is only one opposing elections in December
• Abbas criticises govt's foreign consultant-led reform approach
• Abbas warns that election delay threatens Bangladesh's territorial integrity

BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas has accused Muhammad Yunus of tarnishing the image of the BNP during his ongoing visit to Japan and alleged that the chief adviser is the only person who does not want the national election to happen.

"It is with deep regret that I say this — Dr Yunus is sitting in Japan and defaming the BNP. He should be ashamed of speaking against his own country while abroad," said the BNP leader.

He made the remarks this morning (30 May) after paying tributes at the grave of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman at Chandrima Udyan in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, on the occasion of Zia's 44th death anniversary.

Abbas alleged that Yunus is falsely portraying the BNP as a party that only seeks elections. "He says only one party wants elections. But let us be clear — there is only one man who does not want elections in December, and that is Dr Yunus."

Criticising the government's approach to reforms, the senior BNP leader said, "This government keeps talking about reforms but has brought in foreign consultants to do so. Ziaur Rahman implemented many reforms during his time, but never needed to import foreign advisors.

"Now, reforms have reached such a state that the government itself is avoiding elections."

He also pointed out that it was Yunus who initially proposed holding the national election by December. "Later, he shifted the timeline to June. So if the election does not take place by December, the responsibility will fall squarely on Dr Yunus," Abbas stated.

Reiterating the demand for timely elections, he warned, "The national election must be held by December. Otherwise, the people of Bangladesh will force one. If that doesn't happen, the country's territorial integrity may come under threat."

Earlier, on the occasion of Zia's 44th death anniversary, the central leaders and activists of BNP and its wings and supporting organisations paid deep respects at his grave.

At around 10:30am, tributes were paid with floral wreaths at Zia's mausoleum. Defying continuous rain, thousands of leaders and activists took part in paying respect and offering prayers.

Apart from Abbas, also present during the tribute were Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP Standing Committee Members Salahuddin Ahmed, Abdul Moyeen Khan, and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, and Vice Chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, along with leaders and activists from various levels of the party.

After the tribute by the central leaders, leaders of the party's affiliated organisations arrived at the mausoleum one by one to pay their respects to the memory of Ziaur Rahman. The active participation of party members throughout the event was notable.

At 10am, a procession of professional leaders led by Bangladesh United Professionals Council Convenor Dr Zahid and Member Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury had reached the mausoleum and laid wreaths.

Later, the following professional organisations laid wreaths at the mausoleum – Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB), University Teachers' Association of Bangladesh, White Panel of Dhaka University Teachers, Association of Engineers, Bangladesh, Agriculture Association of Bangladesh, Teachers-Employees Unity Council, Ziaur Rahman Foundation, Zia Parishad, Nationalist Teachers' Forum of Jahangirnagar University, Open University Teachers' Forum, Nationalist Textile Engineers Association of Bangladesh, Diploma Engineers Association of Bangladesh, Medical Technologists Association of Bangladesh, Unani Ayurvedic Graduate Doctors' Association of Bangladesh, Diploma Agriculturists Association of Bangladesh, Physiotherapists Association of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Private Bankers and Financial Institutions Employees Association.