The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) yesterday defended its decision to refrain from attending the ruling Awami League’s (AL’s) national council. “The BNP's decision not to attend the AL council was appropriate,” said party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi while talking to reporters at the party’s central office.
He also said there is no democratic environment in the country. If there had been a democratic atmosphere, they could have considered joining the AL council, he added. The BNP leader, who was released from Kashimpur prison on October 19, accused AL leaders of making aggressive comments against party chairperson Khaleda Zia just a few days ago. He also mentioned that the AL had not attended their council; rather, the ruling party had tried to obstruct it.
Rizvi further said party leaders and activists were being killed and becoming victims of enforced disappearances; they are being implicated in false cases and harassed. “In such an environment, the BNP cannot attend the council with its spine erect,” he added.
Rizvi alleged that those who are running the country were not representatives of the people—they consider themselves landlords.
He criticised the ruling AL for organising the council by “illuminating the city with colourful lights”. A party council cannot be held in such a manner, he added.
Different political parties attended the AL council, but no BNP representative turned up, though party chairperson Khaleda Zia and secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were invited.
Informed sources said Khaleda Zia did not give her consent to join the AL council. Rizvi demanded unconditional release of Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Prof. MA Mannan and Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, and withdrawal of all false cases filed against them.