BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that conspiracies are under way, both at home and abroad, to destabilise the government. He did not offer evidence for the claims.
Rizvi said the cronies of the ousted “fascist” regime were living in luxury after looting money from various sectors of the country and were trying from abroad to harm Bangladesh and create instability.
He made the remarks on Wednesday (October 14) morning as chief guest at an aid distribution event in Gazirtek Union of Charbhadrasan upazila in Faridpur, organised by “Amra BNP Paribar” (We Are the BNP Family).
Speaking at the event, Rizvi said the BNP had come to power by winning the highest number of seats in a transparent election, but that various conspiracies were now under way to destabilise the government.
He alleged that Dr. Muhammad Yunus, former chief adviser of the interim government, had been insulted at an airport in New York. Rizvi said the allies of the defeated fascist forces were trying to create unrest inside the country and tarnish its image abroad. He also said they had damaged the country’s standing by insulting the Nobel laureate.
Rizvi further alleged that those conspiring against the government from inside and outside the country held huge sums of money siphoned out of Bangladesh, including funds from mega projects such as the Padma Bridge and the Metro Rail. He did not provide evidence for these claims.
On efforts to improve the lives of helpless people, Rizvi said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had taken a number of humanitarian initiatives to ensure people’s basic rights and restore the well-being of poor families. He said allowance cards were being issued to the helpless.
Turning to the fuel crisis, he said the ongoing war in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, had triggered shortages of fuel and other supplies. He said the government was procuring fuel from various countries to tackle the situation and expressed hope that the crisis would be over soon.
At the event, the keys to a new house were handed over to a helpless family. Ten sewing machines were also distributed, along with a total of Tk 120,000 in financial assistance to four people.
The sewing machines were meant to create livelihood opportunities. Aid went to party activists who suffered persecution during the movement.
Faridpur-4 MP Md. Shahidul Islam Babul presided over the event, with Faridpur-3 MP Chowdhury Nayab Yousuf attending as special guest.
District BNP President Advocate Moddares Ali Isha, Member Secretary Kibria Swapan, Charbhadrasan Upazila BNP Convener Ahiduzzaman Molla, Member Secretary Abdul Kuddus Badsha, member AGM Badal Amin, Mostafa Kabir, and leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies were also present.
Salahuddin Ahmed’s death “result of torture”
Later in the day, Rizvi said the death of former BNP lawmaker Salahuddin Ahmed was not natural but the result of torture and repression. He added that Ahmed never abandoned his principles despite the abuse.
He spoke after attending Ahmed’s second janaza (funeral prayer) in front of the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, at around 2:15 pm.
Rizvi said Ahmed was arrested “in a most cruel and ruthless manner” and tortured during the October 2023 movement. Although Ahmed repeatedly fell ill in prison, Rizvi said, he was neither granted bail nor given better medical treatment. Rizvi did not provide evidence for the torture claim.
“Salahuddin Ahmed could not enjoy for long the democratic environment that has emerged in the country,” Rizvi said. He said Ahmed left behind an example of dedication, unwavering support for the party and loyalty to its programmes. While many national leaders had at times strayed from their ideals and positions, he said, Ahmed stayed true to his despite all the torture.