Defeated forces who denied voting rights now seek return

BNP Standing Committee member Amanullah Aman has said that forces defeated after depriving people of democracy and voting rights for 17 years are now trying to flex their muscles in different ways.

“No dictator in history has ever returned to power after fleeing. Sheikh Hasina will never be able to return to the country either. Setting off a few crude bombs or creating an unstable situation will serve no purpose,” he said.

Aman made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day on Tuesday.

He alleged that a political group was conspiring amid the growing popularity of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had once given the group an opportunity to participate in politics, but its members were now involved in various conspiracies.

Referring to recent incidents, Aman alleged that elements linked to fascism had infiltrated the recent garment workers’ movement and engaged in arson and vandalism.

He said the workers had legitimate demands and the government had taken initiatives to address them. However, he alleged that a vested group was attempting to create instability using the workers’ movement as a pretext. He called on people to remain alert against such attempts.

Demanding justice against the defeated forces, Aman said they were now flexing their muscles and speaking about returning to the country.

“But what will they do after returning? We want them to come back to the country and face trial. The people of the country are waiting to see them brought to justice,” he said.

Calling for unity against fascism, Aman said no fascist would be allowed to return to the country and that all conspiracies would be resisted through street movements.

He added that protecting the country’s democratic progress and ensuring people’s voting rights remained a responsibility of all.