BNP not concerned over processions by banned AL

The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is neither concerned nor worried about the processions and sudden marches staged by the activities-banned Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League in Gulshan and various other parts of the country.

BNP leaders believe that a banned organisation cannot carry out any programme publicly. If anyone attempts to create instability in the country under such circumstances, the government’s law enforcement agencies will take necessary action, and no one will be given any concession.

Meanwhile, the BNP has decided to promote lower-ranking leaders to fill vacant posts in all party committees, including the central one.

The BNP will finalise its candidate for the Thakurgaon-1 by-election, scheduled for October 29, on September 18. The party has also taken various programmes to raise public awareness about dengue. These issues were discussed at a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee held at the party chairman’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Saturday night, according to sources attending the meeting. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting.

After the meeting, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told journalists that those interested in contesting the Thakurgaon-1 by-election and seeking the party nomination should collect nomination forms from the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan on September 15, in accordance with the party’s decision. The collected nomination forms will be submitted the following day, September 16. The candidate will then be finalised on September 18 based on the decision of the party’s nomination board, the National Standing Committee.

Rizvi also said several decisions had been taken at the meeting to prevent dengue. The BNP will conduct extensive awareness campaigns across the country, he said. Mosquito nets will be supplied to hospitals at the district and upazila levels. In addition, a leaflet prepared with the help of renowned doctors and experts on dengue prevention will be distributed across Dhaka and the country.

“According to the decisions taken at the meeting, awareness programmes on dengue prevention will be repeatedly broadcast on social media as well as radio and television. The meeting also discussed ensuring the availability of dustbins or other bins for disposing of waste at schools, madrasas and marketplaces. The party will monitor the matter if necessary. In addition, the BNP will take any other initiatives required to raise awareness about dengue,” Rizvi added.

The BNP acting secretary general said organisational matters were also discussed at the meeting. He said many people in the party’s committees had died, while others were no longer with the party for various reasons or had been expelled. The meeting discussed taking steps, in accordance with the party constitution, to promote those holding the posts immediately below them to fill the vacant positions.

He said the initiative will mainly focus filling vacant posts at the district and upazila levels. However, Rizvi said there was no discussion about holding party councils at the meeting.

Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged that the banned Awami League staged the Gulshan procession in collusion with the ruling BNP. Responding to a journalist’s question about the allegation, Rizvi said, “None of our national leaders has said that the Awami League will be forgiven. The people of the country certainly have not forgotten who said that. So the people know who is colluding with whom. Therefore, there is no benefit in making such statements.”

He further said, “Those who belong to an illegal or banned organisation—the organisation has been banned by the court. Therefore, an illegal organisation cannot carry out any programme publicly. The ministry concerned with the government, that is, the Home Ministry, will look into who is involved in these activities (processions and sudden marches) and take action accordingly. Law enforcement agencies immediately played their role there, and some arrests were also made.”

On August 15, the BNP had inducted four new leaders into its highest policymaking forum. They are Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Amanullah Aman, Professor Dr Farhad Halim Doner and Ismail Jabiullah. The Standing Committee meeting was held following their inclusion.

Earlier, at 6pm, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman held an organisational meeting at the same venue with leaders from Natore in Rajshahi Division and Chuadanga and Meherpur districts in Khulna Division.