The BNP is committed to rebuilding the country in partnership with Jamaat-e-Islami, stated Mirza Abbas, a member of the party’s standing committee, on October 28. He emphasised that “the country can be reformed if Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP, and other parties collaborate. Otherwise, neighbouring countries will continue to exploit us, which must never happen.” This statement was made during a protest rally organised by Dhaka South Jamaat to commemorate the Awami League’s crackdown on Jamaat during the 2006 protests. Abbas declared, “We must establish a Bangladesh free from the Awami League, as the Awami League and democracy cannot coexist. The struggles of the past are now just memories for us. We are thankful for the outcome on August 5, which fulfilled our desire for a Hasina-free Bangladesh.” He continued, “The Awami League continues to fabricate new narratives in Bangladesh and attempts to impose them on us. We refuse to be their guinea pigs.” He remarked, “Those who are newly born may not grasp the significance of our efforts. They will not understand the sacrifices made by individuals like Sayeedi and Nizami, nor will they recognise the hundreds of BNP activists who have lost their lives or remain imprisoned, facing legal battles.” On August 5, he noted, “India recognised that the people of Bangladesh can unite for the nation’s interests and forge a strong alliance.” During the rally, Abdus Salam, an advisor to the BNP chairperson, pointed out that the uprising was losing momentum for several reasons. “To resist fascism, the alliance between Jamaat and BNP must be reinforced. National unity is essential to prevent the 14-party alliance from regaining political power in Bangladesh,” he said. “While there may be differences between Jamaat and BNP, they must unite to counteract fascism, both before and after the election.”
Source: The Business Standard
