BNP smells blueprint to establish those who ‘sell independence’

There is a blueprint to establish the forces of those who ‘sell independence’ and the anti-liberation elements everywhere, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged today (19 October).

Speaking at a rally to raise mass awareness about dengue, he also said the interim government must act in a stronger way to address public issues and counter various schemes by the cohorts of the ousted fascist regime of the Awami League.

“You [govt] must oversee who is being appointed to the administration. Consider who your friends are. If you place in key positions those who have served Sheikh Hasina for the past 15 years, they will not work in your favour; instead, they may engage in subversive acts,” the BNP leader warned.

He also alleged that the associates of autocrats have been appointed to the health and other ministries. “We are witnessing what seems to be a blueprint to establish two forces—those who sell independence and anti-liberation elements — everywhere from the home ministry to the education ministry.”

Rizvi said the government is failing to perform its responsibilities properly due to this blueprint. “The prices of essential items, including potatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, chicken, spices and edible oil, are on the rise. If you had made timely market interventions, prices would not have soared like this.”

He said a syndicate is extorting Tk50 crore every night at the Karwanbazar kitchen market, driving up the prices of all vegetables and essential items. “What is your police administration doing to address this extortion? Various syndicates are active in every market, not just in Karwanbazar.”

The BNP leader expressed frustration that the interim government is taking much time to eliminate market and business syndicates. “People are now saying that prices of goods increased during Sheikh Hasina’s time and continue to rise. What is the difference? This is not supposed to happen.”

The Dhaka South City unit of BNP organised the programme near Jurain Railgate in the capital to raise awareness about dengue. Rizvi and other leaders also distributed leaflets in the area.

Rizvi said while a ‘serious disease’—Sheikh Hasina—has fled the country, dengue has emerged in Bangladesh, claiming many lives.

He said low-lying areas like Jurain have historically faced severe waterlogging, but the previous government was oblivious to this issue.

“Sheikh Hasina’s intention was not public service as her intention was to loot public money and siphon off it abroad,” the BNP leader said.

He alleged that Hasina’s relatives, ruling party leaders and their associates, along with business syndicates like S Alam and Summit Group, plundered vast sums of public money under the guise of development activities and siphoned it off abroad.

Rizvi questioned how Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, leads a lavish life and resides in an expansive house in the USA despite having no visible job or business. “The truth is coming to light. However, people could not raise questions during the rule of the fascist regime; those who tried ended up in jail.”

He said the International Crimes Tribunal is working to bring Hasina back, as it has already issued a warrant for her arrest. “The tribunal will take action against her.”