Narayanganj, February 25 – BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas has strongly refuted claims that his party has ever been subservient to India. Speaking at a BNP rally at Metro Hall in Narayanganj, he criticized the ruling government, arguing that Bangladesh has been under an authoritarian regime for the past 15 years without fair elections. He accused the ruling party of suppressing democracy and silencing opposition voices.

Addressing the gathering, Mirza Abbas expressed his discontent with the ongoing discussions about electoral reforms, questioning their legitimacy. He stated that if the government does not intend to hold proper elections, they should openly declare that Bangladesh no longer requires them. He asserted that while the ruling party might want to extend their stay in power without elections, the people would not accept it.

Regarding the upcoming local government elections, Mirza Abbas advised BNP leaders and activists to refrain from advocating for individual candidates. He emphasized that the party’s primary focus is on national elections, not local government elections. He alleged that some individuals are pushing for local elections as a means to establish their political foothold, particularly those who lack grassroots support.

Commenting on the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny, Mirza Abbas claimed that the massacre of 57 army officers was orchestrated by trained and foreign-based individuals. He insisted that those convicted in the case were actually innocent and should be released immediately. He expressed sympathy for the families of the convicted individuals and lamented that justice had not been served.

Mirza Abbas also highlighted the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, citing a rise in crimes such as robbery and extortion. He accused certain groups of plotting from Delhi to destabilize Bangladesh. He warned that the people would not tolerate looting, arson, and suppression.

He further remarked that BNP had initially given its support to the caretaker government, believing that its failure would lead to a national crisis. However, he expressed frustration over the prolonged wait for free and fair elections, stressing that democracy cannot remain suspended indefinitely. He criticized certain individuals for suggesting that BNP should never be allowed to return to power, questioning their authority to make such declarations.

Mirza Abbas dismissed allegations that BNP was aligned with India, arguing that had BNP been subservient to Indian interests, the party’s founder, former President Ziaur Rahman, would still be alive. He insisted that BNP has always prioritized national sovereignty and would continue to do so.

The rally was presided over by Narayanganj District BNP Convener Professor Mamun Mahmood. Other BNP leaders present at the event included BNP Central Committee’s Dhaka Divisional Assistant Organizing Secretary Benazir Ahmed Tito, Nazrul Islam Azad, Senior Joint Convener of Narayanganj BNP Mostafizur Rahman Dipu Bhuiyan, former MP Gias Uddin, and Masukul Islam Rajib.