Staff Reporter :
The main opposition party, BNP, on Friday accused the Awami League government of sheltering numerous corrupt individuals, including former Army Chief Aziz Ahmed and former police chief Benazir Ahmed.
“Where are Benazir (former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed), Aziz (former Army chief Aziz Ahmed), and Matiur (revenue officer Matiur Rahman) today? This government is providing shelter to many such corrupt persons,” said BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member Zainul Abedin Farooque while addressing a demonstration programme in the city.
Projonmo Bangladesh, a pro-opposition platform, organised the demonstration programme in front of the National Press Club to protest against the ‘illegitimate government’s illegal agreement with India.’ “There are many individuals in Bangladesh thriving under the shelter of the government, who have amassed crores of taka by plundering the people’s wealth,” Farooque stated. “They made homes abroad with swimming pools to swim at night. These people must be exposed, or the people of Bangladesh will never forgive you.”
Farooque pointed out that new corrupt individuals, like National Board of Revenue first secretary [Taxes Legal and Enforcement] Quazi Abu Mahmud Faisal, have emerged.
“The people of Bangladesh are very conscious. You are in power with the support of a few bureaucrats. You have not been able to win over the people of Bangladesh for a single day,” he said to the government.
“The ruling party, which came to power through what was a sham election, also orchestrated a similar process in upazila polls involving relatives of Awami League leaders, going against the will of the country’s people,” he continued. “Awami League, which destroyed democracy by standing in parliament for five minutes and made MPs by bringing ballot boxes by helicopter, has once again usurped power through the controversial elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024,” he added.
The BNP leader robustly opposed the Indian government’s plan to develop a network of railway tracks through Bangladesh to connect the northeast region with the rest of India.
“We won’t accept these unequal agreements with India. The country’s people can’t accept them. Revoke these unfair deals,” the BNP leader reiterated.