NCP chairman and main organizer, Hasnat Abdullah, clarified that they are perceiving this visit from the top-ranking military officials as a move of political interference.
Senior military officers had initiated the discussion with us, and we considered that as interference in politics, he said in a reaction at a press conference at NCP’s headquarters in the city’s Bangla Motor zone on Friday. NCP leader further reiterated that what is political will have to be decided politically, saying, “What will occur with politics and affairs of state should be decided by the politicians. Because of our uncertainty at this point, I had to file a status yesterday (Thursday).
Hasnat Abdullah stated that all that has been talked about with the army has been exposed through the Facebook status. It is written, “There is a plan for introducing a new plan named ‘Refined Awami League.’ It is a plan, entirely controlled by India, and planned with Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, and Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh as frontmen.” Hasnat revealed that the offer was extended to him on 11 March at the cantonment. “They have offered us a seat sharing arrangement if we accept this offer.
We have been informed that some other political alliances have been given this offer and they have given their consent for conditionally rehabilitating Awami League. It will be better if there are at least two opposition parties, including a discredited Awami League, than one opposition party.”
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When asked what compelled him to come into cantonment, Hasnat Abdullah responded, “Army has been entrusted with magistracy power, and there are a few concerns regarding law and order among us. We have been asked for talks on all these issues.” Clarifying his response, Hasnat went on, “Yesterday, the army chief, as you have seen, issued a statement which many, including myself, felt was not appropriate for the political atmosphere.
The tone with which the interim premier was addressed and the idea for a shared, inclusive election with Awami League… We went there because they assured us that core issues will be addressed.” When asked whether he feels threatened, his party leader responded, “Before 5 August, there had been a fight with students and citizens. We had a force, and there was also a force backed by an agency, against fascism. The state was against us, but again and again, we used to declare that the fight is on… and now the fight is on. Until there is a solidarity among anti-fascist political forces, I do not feel threatened.”
On whether there will ever emerge a demand for prohibition on Awami League, he replied, “Since 5th August, have you ever see one place where Awami League have expressed remorse? They never accepted that they committed the massacre. Our stance is that Awami League as a party have to undergo a trial. They have to acknowledge their crimes… It is only after that there will be any further discussion. We cannot have any discussion before that.” Hasnat Abdullah reaffirmed their resistance to any move to reform Awami League.
“On 5th August, it was declared that Awami League’s ideology, symbol, and name are no longer acceptable. If any foreign power, any internal power, any agency makes a devilish attempt, then I and students are pledged by oath with the family members of victimized and martyred ones not to let the efforts for reformist movement on Awami League bear fruit.”
