BNP accuses Indian journalist Subir Bhaumik of spreading ‘lies’ against top party leaders 

The BNP has accused an Indian journalist of insulting its top leaders amid a row over his report on a so-called foiled attempt to assassinate Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 25 Sept 2017, 02:42 PM
Updated : 25 Sept 2017, 03:48 PM

"This foreign journalist, the rowdy way he speaks, the articles he writes, they all hint at a 'joint production'," Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said at a briefing on Monday.

The report where former BBC journalist Subir Bhaumik claims a group of rogue SSF officers planned a hit on Hasina on Aug 24 was first carried by Myanmar-based Mizzima, followed by some Indian news outlets.

Some media outlets in Dhaka, including state-run BSS, also ran the report but later retracted them without offering explanations.

The Prime Minister's Office then rejected Bhaumik's claim as baseless in a statement issued on Sunday.

During the briefing, Rizvi accused Bhaumik of making derogatory remarks on BNP chief Khaleda Zia and her elder son, senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman on television talk shows.

"Where does he get the audacity to say such dirty things about our leader? You have noticed how he has been writing articles and making non-stop statements, using fairy tales and blatant lies to link our chairperson and senior vice-chairman to foreign intelligence agencies," said the BNP spokesperson.

Rizvi claimed it was part of "deceitful international propaganda" against the BNP.

"This is part of a deep conspiracy.  There are local and foreigners involved in this. I call on everyone, across party lines, to oppose their plans."  

In a comment on the PMO statement, the BNP leader said, "This proves that their work was premeditated, that Subir Bhaumik and his cohorts are part of the conspiracy.”

Contradictions within the ruling Awami League became apparent when party General Secretary Obaidul Quader made a comment on the report that differed from the official PMO statement that followed, claimed Rizvi.