BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused the Prime Minister of hinting at famine on one hand and allowing the construction of houses for chief secretaries at a cost of Tk 43 crore on the other. He also expressed doubts that he does not understand why the Prime Minister is repeatedly talking about famine.
He made these remarks while briefing reporters after a meeting with two like-minded political parties at the BNP Chairperson's office in Gulshan on Tuesday (October 18) afternoon.
BNP has been holding continuous dialogues with all like-minded parties to decide on a single program for a united movement. In continuation of this, BNP held dialogues with the National Democratic Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam on Tuesday.
The BNP Secretary General was accompanied by Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan in the dialogue. National Democratic Party-NDP President KM Abu Taher and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam President Shaikhul Hadith Allama Mansurul Hasan Raipuri led their respective parties.
After the dialogue, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and NDP presidents said they agreed with the BNP's demand for a non-partisan caretaker government. They said they also agreed on the issue of a united movement to realize the demands.
At this time, hinting that a surprise program is coming in the movement to overthrow the government, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul said, "The influx of people at the BNP rallies in Chittagong and Mymensingh has created panic among the ruling party."
He said, "An undeclared curfew was imposed the night before the rally. Even though cocktail shots were fired at night, they could not create any obstacles. On the contrary, cases have been filed against four hundred of our leaders and activists using the police. They will never be able to remain in power by suppressing, shooting, killing and disappearing in this way, no matter how strong they are."
Mirza Fakhrul said, "We are holding talks with various political parties demanding the resignation of the looting government that illegally took away voting rights. We have completed the first phase and started the second phase of discussions. Today, we held discussions with the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. The issues we agreed on during the discussions are the demand for the resignation of this government, the demand for the restoration of democracy, the release of the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, and the withdrawal of the false cases filed against the leaders and activists of the opposition party, including acting chairman Tarique Rahman, and we will simultaneously protest."
Responding to a question about the recent famine forecast by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the BNP Secretary General said, "We don't understand the problem either. Because they had claimed a few days ago that they had become self-sufficient in food. What happened today that they are now afraid that a food crisis will arise."
He said, the main issue is that there is so much corruption in every sector, in every field that it is not possible to handle them in view of that situation. There has been so much mismanagement everywhere, there has been a miss rule that nothing is under their control. Due to which there has been a problem of electricity, electricity cannot be provided. On the other hand, EVMs worth 8,000 crores are being bought to conduct fraudulent votes. The houses of the Cabinet Secretary and the Chief Secretary will be built with 43 crores. What do you think, it is an unbelievable incident. Today, this corruption is going on in every field. That is why they have reached this situation.
Referring to the issue of purchasing EVMs at a huge cost and building houses for the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary, Mirza Fakhrul Islam said, EVMs are being purchased for 8,000 crore taka to conduct a fraudulent vote. On the other hand, houses will be built for the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary at 43 crore taka. What do you expect, this is an incredible incident. In every such case, not one or two—such corruption is happening in every sector today. That is why they have reached this situation today.
Responding to a question about sending the Information Secretary on compulsory retirement, the BNP Secretary General said, "I will not answer that. That is not my business."
