‘Confusion, anger gripped BNP leaders, activists’

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) standing committee member Moudud Ahmed. File Photo
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) standing committee member Moudud Ahmed. File Photo

BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed on Wednesday said deep anger and confusion have gripped their party rank and file as its MPs joined the current 'unelected and illegal' parliament.

Speaking at a discussion of BNP, he also warned that their party will not be able to make progress much in national politics if the confusion cannot be removed from their minds.

"There've been serious resentment and confusion among the leaders and workers at all levels of the party due to joining parliament all of a sudden. People from all walks of life are also raising many questions about BNP's current position. We must give replies to those questions. We'll have to take effective steps to reorganise party founded by Ziaur Rahman," Moudud said.

He suggested holding an extended meeting of BNP's national executive committee together with the representatives of its all associate bodies to remove confusion and misunderstanding through discussions.

BNP arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the 38th death anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman.

Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said their party turned down the results of the 11th parliamentary election just after its announcement. "We branded this parliament as unelected and illegal one."

He also said BNP did not take part in the by-polls to Dhaka North City Corporation and upazila polls under the current government.

"We also expelled around our 200 leaders who joined upazila polls. Our many leaders and activists were killed, maimed and injured in 300 seats during the last national election.

Thousands of our leaders and activists were implicated in false cases and sent to jail. But the sudden decision of joining the current parliament frustrated the party's leaders and activists at all levels," Moudud observed.

He said there is no alternative to keeping BNP united since their chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman are now unable to lead the party.

"Now, the country is also under the clutch of one-party and brutal autocratic rule."

Under the circumstances, the BNP leader said, there is no alternative to strengthening the party. "Remove us from the leadership, if necessary, and create new leadership."

Speaking at the programme, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir did not talk anything about the issue raised by Moudud, but asked party leaders and activists not to get upset.

"Many people express their frustration and talk about it, but I don't. I think the ideals of late president Ziaur Rahman and the sacrifices of Khaleda Zia can never fail," he said.

Fakhrul said BNP will surely make a turnaround soon as people love this party. "We must free Khaleda Zia from jail and restore democracy."

He alleged that the government is trying to turn Bangladesh into a "failed state" in a planned way. "It seems there's no governing system here as misrule and crises have gripped the country."

'On the day of our founder's death anniversary, we must take a vow to remain united. We won't create any division. We'll strengthen BNP following the ideals of Ziaur Rahman," Fakhrul added.

BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Awami League is now working as the opponents of people by "destroying" democracy.

He alleged that the ruling party always fears BNP and the Zia family as the country's people like the political ideology of Ziaur Rahman.

Mosharraf suggested reorganising BNP as per its constitution and spread the ideals of Ziaur Rahman among youths to free Khaleda Zia from jail and restore democracy.

BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, vice chairmen Selima Rahman, AZM Zahid Hossain and Ahmed Azam Khan, among others, addressed the programme.