Mirza Abbas warns of election engineering, alleges administrative bias
BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-8 and party Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas on Saturday alleged that a section of the government and senior levels of the administration are showing favouritism towards certain candidates ahead of the parliamentary election.
“I have heard that a group within the government has prepared a list of a few people who must be made to win. Weakness towards some individuals has also been seen at the higher levels of the administration,” he said while talking to reporters after an election views-exchange meeting with flat owners at Haq Castle in Kakrail. UNB News
He said some candidates are already declaring victory, while certain government figures are saying those candidates should be in parliament.
“An election is said to be participatory, yet bias is visible. Whether they receive votes or not, they will be sent to parliament—this is not good,” the BNP leader observed.
Earlier in the day, Abbas joined another meeting with polling agents at Sadeque Hossain Khoka Community Centre.
He also had a views-exchange meeting with residents of 180 flats at Eastern Point in Shantinagar later in the evening.
Addressing polling agents, the former minister said BNP leaders and activists spent years in jail and on the streets in political movements, and no single group can claim exclusive credit for the struggle of 2024.
He criticised some people for behaving as if they had “liberated the country for a second time.”
The BNP leader also said during the 1971 Liberation War, freedom fighters did not demand power or ministerial posts, but some who were then students are now making various political demands and even had representation within the government in recent times.
He warned that the country can face an even more difficult period ahead and alleged that “established global forces” may try to prevent Bangladesh from remaining peaceful, regardless of which government comes to power.
Abbas also accused Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies of influencing power from behind the scenes and attempting to shape the upcoming election in their favour.
He said BNP has remained out of power for nearly 17–18 years, yet continues to be targeted politically, adding that some people who consider power their “inherited property” are trying to ensure some selected individuals assume office.
Abbas, however, expressed confidence in voters, saying the country’s conscious citizens have historically made the right electoral choices whenever they were given the opportunity to vote freely.
Referring to his own constituency, he claimed residents have rarely seen their MP over the past 17–18 years, while asserting that he has consistently remained close to local people during disasters and daily hardships.
“I was born and raised here. I have always tried to stay beside the people. Even when I served as minister and mayor, I did not distance myself from them,” the BNP leader said.
Seeking support, Abbas assured voters that he would remain accessible in the future, saying they would be able to reach him with a simple phone call.