Rehabilitating Awami League in politics will spell disaster for BNP: NCP's Nahid
"I will not respond to Mirza Fakhrul’s comments now. We consider BNP our partner in the July Uprising and urge them not to engage in wrong politics,” he says
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has warned that if the BNP begins politics to rehabilitate the Awami League (AL), it will bring disaster for the party.
He made the remarks today (23 September) in a vague reference to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's remarks made in an interview published yesterday (22 September), in which he said the Awami League and Jatiyo Party should take part in the upcoming national election for a free and fair vote.
Addressing a press conference at the NCP's Banglamotor office in Dhaka this afternoon, Nahid said, "I will not respond to Mirza Fakhrul's comments now. We consider BNP our partner in the July Uprising and urge them not to engage in wrong politics."
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He claimed that on one hand, the AL is conspiring, while some politicians are also plotting to bring them back into the elections and rehabilitate them in politics. "Those who do so will see their politics come to an end."
"We call on all anti-fascist forces to remain united in demanding justice against them [AL]," Nahid added.
Nahid urged BNP to focus on building a "new Bangladesh" rather than reviving AL. "If they do so, they will gain the support of young people. Politics in Bangladesh must now move forward through justice and reforms."
Regarding "Shapla", the electoral symbol NCP is pursuing for participating in the national polls, he said, "Our Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary has said that the Election Commission could not provide any legal explanation against Shapla symbol. We remain firm on our demand for this symbol."
On the possible alliance with the Gono Odhikar Parishad, Nahid said discussions are ongoing. "There is nothing final to announce yet. Progress will be shared in due course."
Yesterday, in an interview with Indian online newspaper Ei Samay, Mirza Fakhrul also said, "Let there be a fair and free election. For saying this, many people are insulting me — calling me an agent of India, a stooge of the Awami League.
"But why should we repeat Sheikh Hasina's misdeeds? Hasina did not even allow her opponents to contest elections for 15 years, and she has faced consequences for that.
"If we do the same, we too will face repercussions. However, people have witnessed so much bloodshed, so many lives lost — that has created deep resentment against the Awami League," said the senior BNP leader.
