Reza Mahmud :
A new controversy has risen in politics over BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s statement over the neutrality of the interim government.
At a discussion marking the 56th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Asad at the National Press Club on Thursday, Mirza Fakhrul expressed his belief saying, “A neutral government is needed because the current government has failed to maintain neutrality in certain issues.”
Information, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md. Nahid Islam criticised Mirza Fakhrul’s speech saying such statement indicates creating one more 1/11 situation.
Nahid said, “We proposed a national government comprising the anti-fascist political parties and civil society that could have averted the need for student intervention.
However, the BNP opposed this idea, likely due to their foresight that such a government could endure in the long run.”
Meanwhile, BNP senior leaders showed mix reaction over Mirza Fakhrul’s statement.
Apart from these, National Citizens’ Committee Convener Nasiruddin Patwary also criticized Fakhrul’s statements.
Criticising the BNP Secretary General’s statement Nahid Islam on Thursday said in his verified facebook post, “Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s call for a neutral government seems to suggest the formation of another 1/11-style administration.”
He said, “The rise of Awami fascism, stemming from the 1/11 shift, began during that period.
Fakhrul’s comments imply the potential for a similar government to re-emerge, continuing the trend of parliamentary dominance, reactive foreign policies, and a lack of justice for enforced disappearances, murders, and the July massacre.”
When contacted, BNP Standing Committee’s Senior Member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Thursday told The New Nation, “Mirza Fakhrul’s speech over the issue is his personal opinion. It was not the position of the party as it has not decided or discussed in the party forum.”
He said, only the party Secretary General could explain over his remarks.
Contacted, the party’s Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told this daily on Thursday, “Party Secretary General stated appropriately. This interim government has failed to maintain neutrality in several cases.”
He said, “The people want to have a neutral government during the national elections.”
Differing Adviser Nahid’s statement that a polls time neutral government hints another 1/11, Amir Khosru said it is not understandable.
“It is not clear how an election time government pushed to another 1/11,” he said.
Adviser Nahid Islam also said in the statement, “Students remain the only major force in this government and the current situation, which clearly distinguishes the current government from the 1/11 government. Recently, the BNP discussed a minus two formula, but now they’re advocating for another 1/11 government in the name of a neutral government to pave their way back to power.”
Nahid also remarked that BNP sympathizers hold significant positions at every level of governance, and these realities must be considered when discussing electoral neutrality. “The BNP has consistently resisted key reforms, including changes to the presidency, the constitution, and the July declaration, which were not among the students’ demands,” he pointed out.
“Despite this, the students have consistently compromised their positions for national stability, broader interests, and unity. However, their willingness to compromise does not extend to any undemocratic plans or attempts to undermine the uprising,” Nahid emphasized.
The adviser warned that Bangladesh’s division stems from influential figures prioritizing personal gain over national unity. He acknowledged that not all BNP members endorse this approach but urged the party’s patriotic leaders to prioritize national unity by aligning with the students and the masses, rather than opposing them.
Besides, National Citizens’ Committee Convener Nasiruddin Patwary also criticized Fakhrul’s statements. “We see the BNP Secretary General’s call for an impartial government as a veiled threat of a return to 1/11,” Patwary said in a Facebook post. He pointed out, “The public has witnessed who tried to sabotage the student movement on the morning and evening of August 5.”
Patwary also accused the BNP of consistently ignoring the demands of the students and the public. “The BNP has repeatedly dismissed the July proclamation as irrelevant, accusing it of being too late. This reflects their opportunistic and anti-national leadership,” he asserted.
He urged the ‘patriotic and dedicated leadership of the BNP” to choose unity and solidarity with the students and the public, rather than opposing the student uprising.
