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Published : 28 May 2025, 09:04 PM
BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas has launched a blistering attack on the interim government, declaring it “rotten from head to toe”.
Speaking at a youth rally organised by the party’s affiliated organisations — Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal — in front of the BNP’s central office at Naya Paltan on Wednesday afternoon, Abbas said: “This government is decaying from the top; it’s rotten all the way to the bottom.”
“If this government continues to run the country in this manner, the damage will exceed even what the Awami League has done,” he warned.
Calling for immediate general elections, Abbas said: “Regardless of who comes to power, I believe that only an elected government can truly safeguard Bangladesh’s sovereignty and independence.”
The rally, titled “Youth for Political Rights”, drew massive crowds, transforming the area from Kakrail to Fakirapool into a sea of people, according to organisers.
‘EXTORTION BEING BLAMED ON BNP’
Abbas accused others of widespread extortion across the country and claimed that BNP is being scapegoated.
“Several groups are involved in large-scale extortion, but the blame is being pinned on us. Those responsible must be stopped, they’re deliberately trying to tarnish BNP’s reputation,” he said.
“We’ve repeatedly asked: if they’re engaged in extortion, why hasn’t police arrested them?”
‘THIS IS A COLONIAL GOVERNMENT’
Abbas described the interim government as a “colonial regime”.
“This is a colonial government. Most of its members, perhaps 90 percent, aren’t even citizens of this country. It was the people and students who protested, but these outsiders are now sitting on our shoulders.”
He continued: “This government once carried the people’s trust and expectations. But in the past nine months, we have received nothing but contempt.”
Referring to the controversial Starlink satellite internet deal, Abbas alleged it was being introduced to serve foreign interests.
“Who is Starlink for? We’ve managed without it just fine. It’s being brought in for the Arakan Army. And the so-called ‘corridor’ — that’s to transport arms and goods through our territory. And Saint Martin’s Island — who is that being handed over to?”
Appealing to young people, he added: “If the youth of this country understand what’s at stake, they won’t let Bangladesh’s territorial integrity be compromised.”
‘TALK OF A CHANGING MAP’
Mirza Abbas also raised concerns over speculation about changes to the country’s borders.
“Some are saying Bangladesh’s map might change. I want to know, how? Will it get bigger or smaller? Clarify it.”
“When we talk about elections, they talk about reforms. But in nine months, they’ve failed to implement any reform. When we talk about work, they talk about wrongdoing. They can’t complete anything.”
“They talk of reforms followed by elections. But if they couldn’t do it in nine months, they won’t do it in nine years or even ninety. They should apologise to the nation and step aside.”
‘LINKING TRIALS TO ELECTIONS IS MEANINGLESS’
Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said: “Our leaders and activists are facing the most cases and repression. We support due legal proceedings. But linking trials to the election makes no sense.”
He added that the party had committed to reforms and ensuring justice if elected to power, saying there was no reason to delay the parliamentary polls.
‘WE MUST RESIST CONSPIRACIES’
Another Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said: “A conspiracy is under way. I urge the youth: we must resist it and restore democracy. Let this be our pledge.”
‘A TSUNAMI OF YOUTH’
Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury called the rally a “youth tsunami”.
“Today, millions of young people have gathered, sending a clear message — that message is democracy. And the path to democracy is through elections.”
He warned against delays, saying: “There is no room to stall the roadmap in the name of reforms or judicial processes.”
‘WE DEMANDED A ROADMAP, NOT RESIGNATIONS’
Salahuddin Ahmed, also a Standing Committee member, said: “We asked for an election roadmap — not anyone’s resignation. What we got instead was political theatre.”
“We have clearly demanded that the election roadmap be announced by December. If speaking up for democratic rights is a crime, we will commit that crime time and again.”
He urged the government to implement the court’s verdict enabling BNP’s Ishraque Hossain to be sworn in as Dhaka South City Corporation mayor.
“We hope the government will uphold the rule of law. But if not, and if the people must rise against this so-called interim government, it will be remembered as a tragic chapter in our history.”
The rally was presided over by Jubo Dal President M Monayem Munna and jointly moderated by Swechchhasebak Dal General Secretary Rajib Ahsan and Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir.
BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan, Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Zilani, Jubo Dal General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayan, and Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib also spoke at the event.
