Staff Reporter :
BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas has stated that the party will not take responsibility for the statements made by individuals. “If someone has made a controversial remark, BNP will not assume responsibility for it. The concerned individual must take responsibility alone,” he asserted.
Mirza Abbas firmly denied allegations that BNP is conspiring to bring about a ‘One-Eleven’ situation in the country. Speaking as the chief guest at a prayer meeting and discussion organised by BNP at its central office in Naya Paltan on Friday, he made these remarks.
The event was held to commemorate the 10th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko, the youngest son of the late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Koko was also a distinguished sports organiser.
Earlier on Thursday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, at a city meeting, stated, “A neutral government is required during elections,
as the current government has failed to maintain impartiality on certain issues.”
In response, the Adviser to the Ministry of Information, Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Md. Nahid Islam, criticised Mirza Fakhrul’s statement, suggesting that it indicates an attempt to create another ‘1/11’ situation.
Furthermore, BNP Standing Committee’s Senior Member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain told The New Nation on Thursday that Mirza Fakhrul’s statement was his personal opinion and did not reflect the official stance of the party, as it had not been discussed or decided within the party forum.
Referring to Mirza Fakhrul’s remarks, Mirza Abbas reiterated that BNP would not take responsibility for statements made by individuals.
Mirza Abbas alleged that Begum Khaleda Zia has been deliberately harmed, stating, “The leader of the people, Begum Khaleda Zia, was subjected to slow poisoning and pushed to the brink of death. Alongside her, the independence, sovereignty, and democracy of the country have also been brought to the verge of destruction.”
Refuting claims that BNP is attempting to revive the ‘One-Eleven’ era, Mirza Abbas emphasised, “BNP and its members were the worst victims of oppression and torture during the One-Eleven period in 2007. No one suffered more from its aftermath than BNP. From the grassroots to the leadership, no section of the party was spared. There was even an attempt to assassinate BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia.”
He also addressed accusations that BNP is envious of newly formed political parties, stating, “Those making such claims are enemies of the nation. Whether a new party is formed or not is up to those who wish to form it. BNP will respond after the announcement of such a party and will welcome it as part of the democratic process. If necessary, we will even cooperate. However, people should not be misled with baseless remarks.”
Mirza Abbas further commented, “There is a group – let’s not mention names – that seems to have grand ambitions. As the saying goes, ‘Counting chickens before they hatch.’ They act as though they know nothing, but they are desperate for power. Occasionally, they make stray remarks against BNP.”
Senior BNP leaders, including Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and other party leaders at various levels, attended the prayer meeting and discussion.