Conspiracy resurfaces in the country: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed concern over what he describes as the resurgence of conspiracies in Bangladesh. 

Speaking at a discussion marking the founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at the Engineers Institution Auditorium in Dhaka on Wednesday (January 1), Fakhrul said, "The same conspiracies that led our leader Khaleda Zia to spend six years in jail and forced our acting chairman to remain abroad have started again."

Fakhrul called for electoral reforms, emphasising the need for an inclusive and acceptable election as the only solution to the political crisis. "The interim government must make the necessary minimum reforms to ensure everyone’s participation in the election. This election must be fair and acceptable to all," he said.

Addressing the perceived targeting of BNP leaders, Fakhrul said, "History shows attempts to marginalize those who champion Bangladesh’s interests. The people of this country have never supported such conspiracies and won’t do so now." He also reiterated that despite numerous efforts, the BNP remains unbroken because "BNP’s politics is the politics of the people."

Mirza Fakhrul urged Chhatra Dal members to intensify their activities on social media, terming it a battleground in modern politics. "Knowledge-based and cyber politics is the way forward. We must dominate social media to counter conspiracies at home and abroad," he advised.

Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib described the organization's sacrifices and its pivotal role in past political movements. "The blood of Chhatra Dal activists fueled the mass uprisings of July and August. In the days to come, we will establish a new style of politics on campuses, free from extortion and occupation," Rakib said.

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu highlighted the leadership of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, stating, "He has led the movement from abroad for 16 years. Under his leadership, the dictator Sheikh Hasina left the country in 2024." He warned Chhatra Dal to remain vigilant against ongoing conspiracies.

Another Vice Chairman, Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon, stressed the inevitability of reforms but emphasized that these must align with democratic principles. "The world’s history shows that reforms and elections follow mass uprisings. The same will happen in Bangladesh," he said.

BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie criticized the interim government’s "March for Unity," calling for genuine national unity. "Unity should aim to demand justice for Sheikh Hasina’s actions and build a democratic Bangladesh," Annie stated.

The event saw leaders and activists participating in processions and paying homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. Banners honored Chhatra Dal martyrs and demanded the return of missing leaders. The day also included a blood donation program and the release of a book listing 142 Chhatra Dal members killed during political movements.

The meeting was chaired by Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and moderated by General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. It featured speeches by BNP leaders Aman Ullah Aman, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Rakibul Islam Bakul, Azizul Bari Helal, and others.