Tarique terms attack on Hadi a conspiracy against democracy

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today (12 December) described the shooting of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson and aspiring independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, Sharif Osman Hadi, as a "conspiracy against democracy."

"Today's attack on Sharif Osman Bin Hadi is not an isolated incident. Similar incidents have happened before. A few days ago, one of our MP candidates in Chattogram also came under attack — this is a conspiracy," he said.

Speaking at the closing session of the sixth day of BNP's "Plan to Build the Country" workshop at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB), the BNP leader urged the people of the country to stand against such a plot.

"If we have to stand up against this injustice, then at any cost we must establish democracy. At any cost we must restore our democratic values and our democratic rights," he said.

The BNP leader called upon the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal to take responsibility for defending democracy as the "future of the nation."

"The people of this country can stop and resist such conspiracies. This conspiracy can be stopped and defeated only through democratic practice and through democracy itself," Tarique said.

Speaking to student leaders during the workshop, Tarique highlighted the party's plans.

"I am presenting our party's plans to you. I am giving you the responsibility to explain these plans to the people and gain their support. I believe you will be able to do this successfully. Because you have the ability, you have the talent. If you want, you can do it," he said.

The BNP leader said issues such as the farmers' card, family card and health card had already been unveiled, and he urged Chhatra Dal leaders and activists to take these to people in every household.

Salahuddin inaugurated the programme at the KIB auditorium in the morning, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in the chair.

Leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal joined the programme to receive training on different issues so they can reach out to people and explain BNP's plans, election manifesto and promises before the polls.

Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in the head by unknown assailants on motorcycles in the capital's Paltan area today.

The incident takes place a day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the 13th national parliamentary election.

Hadi, an aspiring candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming polls, was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) emergency department following the attack and was taken to the operation theatre at around 3:50pm, DMCH Police Outpost In-charge Inspector Md Faruk confirmed to The Business Standard.

Later in the day, he was transferred from DMCH to Evercare Hospital for advanced treatment, said DMCH Director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman.

Asaduzzaman earlier said Hadi's condition was critical and he was placed on life support.