Don't make political parties your opponents: Fakhrul responds to Nahid's remark

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (13 December) strongly criticised Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam's recent remark that political parties are trying to prove the interim government a failure.

Speaking at a discussion meeting the BNP leader called upon the government to be cautious in making such statements, stating, "Please don't make political parties your opponents."

The BNP arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day, which will be observed across the country tomorrow.

Referring to Nahid's statement, Fakhrul said, "I don't know why or in what context he said this, or whether he understood the meaning of it. I strongly protest against it. I think he should withdraw his comment.

"Political parties are supporting you [govt], but you're claiming they are working to make you fail. We have stated this countless times, and our acting chairman has also said that the failure of this government would mean the failure of the people and us. So, why do you make such statements?" he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam reportedly said political parties are prioritising the election over reforms.

During a meeting at the secretariat with a delegation from British Global Partners Governance (GPG), the adviser also mentioned that political parties are attempting to make the interim government fail.

Fakhrul further said the students, the people, and political parties, including the BNP, have all entrusted the government with the responsibility to create an environment in which a fair election can be held and a people's government and parliament can be established.

"We shouldn't say anything that undermines our victory or destroys our achievements. This is the most critical time—one wrong step could lead to a setback, causing you to fall into a ditch," Fakhrul cautioned.

The BNP leader alleged the "fascist" ruler Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh and took refuge in India, is actively working against the interests of the country. "The Awami League leaders and workers are continuously engaging in false propaganda and spreading misinformation against the country using social media."

The BNP leader urged his party colleagues to be active on social media, countering the misinformation with facts and intellectual discourse.

He said BNP leaders and workers must continue their efforts to institutionalise democracy and establish a healthy democratic political culture in Bangladesh.

"There is still much work ahead of us. Many people believe their job is done now as Hasina has fled, but we have a long way to go before we can make democracy both a culture and a system. Let's take an oath that we will build ourselves into worthy citizens of the country and dedicated democratic workers," Fakhrul said.

He said democracy is not just a notion but a culture. "We must learn how to speak, how to behave, how to interact with our neighbours, and how to engage with our political opponents in a democratic way. Democracy does not mean cutting someone's throat for supporting the Awami League or BNP. Democracy means absolute tolerance."

Fakhrul also expressed concern over a current tendency to overshadow the 1971 Liberation War by glorifying the recent mass upsurge. "I believe this is part of a larger conspiracy to distance the nation from its original history. We see this as a distortion of history, and we must be careful about it."

BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain spoke as the chief guest, while BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku presided over the meeting.

Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor Mahmud Hasan, economist Mahbub Ullah, BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, BNP Standing Committee members Abdul Moin Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman and Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram also spoke.