Hasina warns BNP against taking path to violence to foil election

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked BNP not to take a path to violence to sabotage the upcoming election as the opposition party did in 2014.

“They have begun violence once again,” she said.

Hasina also criticised the leaders for forming an alliance with the “convicted killers”.

Hasina spoke at a meeting of the Awami League Nomination Board on Thursday.

“As they have decided to contest the election, they should try to make sure that the election is held properly; at least they shouldn’t try to foil it,” Hasina said as she criticised arson attacks on police vehicles in front of the BNP office on Wednesday.

“They had tried to foil the election in 2014 but failed. They won’t be able to do so in future as the people of the country are with us. The people want to see an election being held in a festive environment, where they can vote and form a government of their choice.”

BNP activists vandalise and torch several vehicles during a clash with police in Naya Paltan area in Dhaka on Wednesday. Photo: Abdullah Al Momin

The BNP leaders and activists clashed with the police at Naya Paltan on Wednesday afternoon as the party began to sell its nomination forms with the election looming.

The clash continued for more than an hour turning the busy commercial district into a war zone. More than 50 persons including police personnel were injured.

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control. The BNP activists vandalised a few vehicles and torched two police cars. One of the cars has been partially damaged.

“It has been announced that all political parties will contest in the election which created a festive environment. But the BNP does not like festivity and always tries to foil it. That is what we have witnessed,” said Hasina.

“All of a sudden, a BNP leader appeared with a procession which was not within the rules. Then they started a fight that left a few police personnel injured. They even torched three vehicles.”

“They unleashed violence in 2014 and in 2015. They began it once again. It proves that BNP can’t do anything but burn people,” said Hasina.

“It is very unfortunate to witness such incidents when people in Bangladesh are happy to vote for their candidates in an election that is going to be held in a festive environment.”

Towards the end of 2013, the BNP-Jamaat alliance waged a violent movement to prevent election after boycotting the 10th parliamentary elections. Then they called a series of strike and blockade during the first three months of 2015 marking the anniversary of 2014 elections.

Over 100 were killed while hundreds injured in the 2015 firebombings of vehicles, mainly buses.

“And they have mastered the art of laying the blame on others after committing such acts,” said the prime minister.

“They claimed that those who had engaged in violence were Chhatra League members. Why would Chhatra League or Jubo League members go in front of the BNP office? And their faces were visible. All of them were BNP or Jamaat cadres.” 

The BNP has blamed the government for the clash with police saying the law enforcers ‘attacked’ the BNP leaders and activists without provocation. Police, on the other hand, said it was an unprovoked clash and the BNP tried to turn it to its own advantage.

“We have seen them attack police in 2014 and 2015 and now on Wednesday. I must thank the police force for being tolerant. Two of the cars that BNP activists torched were burned to ashes while one was partially damaged,” said Hasina.

“I condemn such action where it causes damage to both the public and their property,”

Dr Kamal Hossain, a former Awami League leader, is leading Jatiya Oikya Front alliance that was recently formed with the BNP, Gono Forum, JSD and Nagorik Oikya.  The Oikya Front has also chosen the BNP symbol paddy sheaf as its electoral logo.

In a veiled reference to conviction of BNP chief Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, her son and acting chief of the party, Prime Minister Hasina lashed out at those talking big after uniting with ‘killers, corrupt people’. Tarique has also been sentenced recently to life for the deadly Aug 21, 2004 grenade attack.

“They want to stop the development of the country. The BNP feels sad when the common people are happy. Otherwise, they could have never embezzled the money for orphans. Their leader is in jail now for embezzling the orphans’ money. The other one is convicted for grenade attack, money laundering, and arms trafficking,” she said.

“They run their party with convicts. They violate the seven articles of their party constitution. Any convicted killer, robber, corrupt person can be their leader. And those who earlier had talked big have joined them now.”

“I want the election to take place no matter what. We want to ensure an environment where the people in the country are able to vote independently at least,” said Hasina.

“I urge the people to prevent any form of terrorism, violence, arson attacks and uphold their right to vote and other democratic rights. We will always be on their side in this endeavour,” she said. 

“In the context of the development work done by the Awami League government over the last decade, I am hopeful that the Bangladesh Awami League will be re-elected by the people and continue the country’s development in future. The country will move forward,” said Hasina.

“I believe the people will vote for ‘boat’ and ensure the continuation of development of their living standards. We’ll build the Bangladesh that the Father of the Nation had dreamed.”

At least 4,000 aspiring candidates have bought the Awami League nomination forms for the general elections.

“It’s a tough job to choose” from so many candidates, the AL chief commented at the beginning of her speech.

Obaidul Quader, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Kazi Zafarullah, Prof Alauddin, Rashidul Alam, Abdur Razzak, and Faruk Khan were present in the meeting.

Syed Ashraful Islam could not attend it due to his sickness.