News Flash
DHAKA, April 23, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas today underscored the need for maintaining national unity as the opponents are trying to create division among the pro-July uprising forces.
“All the parties who opposed tyranny including BNP-Jamaat, NCP and other parties must remain united in the national interest, in the interest of the country. The Bangladeshi people have only one strength and that is unity. We proved that in July-August,” he said.
Mirza Abbas said these while addressing a discussion as the chief guest at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the Jatiya Press Club here.
The meeting titled ‘Democracy, Reforms and Reality in the Current Context’, was organized by the Democracy Forum.
Stating that BNP wants both reforms and elections, Mirza Abbas said, "We want reforms that are necessary for the people of the country. We do not need unnecessary reforms that will bring more danger."
He said, "Today, a situation has come where the country has no elections or reforms. However, the only alternative to elections is elections. There can be nothing else. We want the reforms that are necessary for us, for the elections, for the country, for the people of the country."
Mirza Abbas said, "I once said that all the reforms that you are talking about cannot be accepted. Twisting that statement, our so-called journalist who is abroad said that BNP does not want reforms, Mirza Abbas does not want reforms."
The senior BNP leader said that this Election Commission will hold elections as per the expectations of the people. “Dr. Muhammad Yunus said that the elections will be held in June, if not in December. This is what that has put us in an embarrassing situation. He said December once, and then he said June again. The vote will be in December – immediately after the chief advisor said this, another said the vote will be in June. I see no sign of holding the election soon,” he said.
Drawing the attention of the chief advisor to the activities of some people surrounding him, Mirza Abbas said, “I want to say that those people are the product of Awami League.”
“There are more Awami League products on your right and left. Please be careful of them. These five (a few secretaries) and some people from your advisory council will not let you walk on the right path. Your whole life’s achievements, you are a Nobel laureate...they will finish them," he said.
About BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Mirza Abbas said, "We see a lot of difference now from how we saw him 20 years ago.
Today, Tarique Rahman is fulfilling the duties of the acting chairman and is fulfilling them properly."
The BNP leader said, "I noticed that a top leader of the NCP (a newly emerged party) said that it is not possible to hold elections now.
Because BNP people are sitting in all places of the administration. Awami League ruled the country for 17 years, where did they get BNP people, I don’t understand. In 17 years, BNP people have become ghosts. There is not a single one. Yet you say that all BNP people are sitting in the administration."
In the wake of the allegations that BNP is trying to rehabilitate Awami League, he said, "Recently, a group is trying to say on Facebook that BNP is trying to rehabilitate Awami League. I have gone crazy due to the pain of 17 years of Awami League. I have suffered from unrest with my family and relatives. The families of many BNP members have been destroyed due to the oppression of Awami League.”
“Rather, I want to say that our struggle will continue against those who try to rehabilitate Awami League in the country. Awami League cannot have a place in this country. All the leaders and activists of Awami League including Sheikh Hasina and all the administration personnel must be tried," he added.
Democracy Forum President Md Ibrahim chaired the event while BNP Joint Secretary General Abdus Salam Azad and National Executive Committee member Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah also spoke. The meeting was moderated by Democracy Forum General Secretary Obaidur Rahman.
