BNP’s Mirza Abbas questions media silence on businessmen funding political parties

He says the media ignores which businessmen’s helicopters are used, who gives money, and which parties support them

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has alleged that the media is not reporting on businessmen who benefited under the previous Awami League government and are now supporting different political parties.

However, he did not name any specific businessmen or political leaders.

Speaking at an Iftar event for journalists at Lake Shore Hotel in Dhaka’s Gulshan on Tuesday, Abbas said: “You are not writing about which businessmen’s helicopters are being used for trips, who is giving money to whom, and which political parties are keeping certain businessmen afloat.”

He added, “You are not writing anything about a particular party. Many things are happening behind the scenes, yet you remain silent. But you are inflating and exaggerating reports about the BNP.”

Criticising the lack of reports on businessmen funding political parties, Abbas said: “There are businessmen accused in murder cases, not just one or two cases—many incidents remain unreported. Even beyond July and August, businessmen have been involved in killings, but you are not writing about them.”

Claiming he was not attacking journalists, Abbas said: “I just want to point out where you are making mistakes.”

He warned that this was harming the country and the nation, saying: “Why are you (the media) not highlighting who attended the business conference in early July, who got arrested, who didn’t, and why? You should be reporting this.”

He continued, “These people have been amassing wealth for 17 years and will spend the next 17 years using that money to destroy Bangladesh.”

Urging the media to expose such individuals, Abbas said: “They think having money means they own the world. But they don’t realise that not all journalists can be bought. That is something I have witnessed in my lifetime.”

He also explained why he was urging the media to be vocal against businessmen backed by the previous “fascist” government.

“I am not speaking against them; I am speaking for myself. Because I want to survive. I have to survive,” he said.

“If these people keep roaming around with their illegal money, no one in Bangladesh will be able to live peacefully. They will make this country sick, they will destroy its people, and they will ruin its democracy.”

Abbas alleged that it was not just corrupt businessmen but also Awami League loyalists who continued to control key institutions.

“It’s not just businessmen looting illegal money—look inside the Secretariat. Awami League loyalists are still running everything. They are in the Secretariat, the police stations, the union councils—they have taken control everywhere.”

“Journalists should investigate and expose their positions to protect the country and the nation,” he urged.

Praising journalists’ role in establishing democracy, Abbas said: “You must clearly report where Awami League’s loyalists are positioned today and what roles different political parties and their leaders are playing in Bangladesh’s politics.”

The event was organised by Amra BNP Poribar in honour of journalists, with Abbas as the chief guest.