BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that a concerted negative campaign against the party is underway and he recalled past efforts to eliminate the party as part of a depoliticisation move following the 1/11 political changeover in 2007.

Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also called upon all political parties not to make any statements that could create division among the people.

“We’re observing that some criminals in certain areas are indulging in offences such as occupying and establishing control, and efforts are being made to shift the blame onto the BNP. We would like to make it clear that neither the leaders and activists of the BNP nor those of its associated bodies are involved in criminal activities,” he said.

The BNP leader expressed surprise that leading and renowned newspapers are also reporting news involving the BNP in criminal acts. “I don’t think it’s justified. One or two individuals may commit misdeeds personally, but they do not do so under the BNP’s banner.”

He said their party takes immediate action whenever they receive complaints against their leaders and workers, noting that over 50 individuals have already faced consequences.

When asked for his comment on Jamaat Amir Shafiqur Rahman’s remarks about the BNP's demand for early elections and its leaders’ alleged involvement in usurpation, Fakhrul said, “It’s a well-thought-out plot. What happened during 1/11 was an attempt at depoliticisation. We haven’t forgotten it.”

He said that those who lack public support and are believed by the people to be incapable of effectively running the government have different thoughts. “I’m not naming any party.”

Stating that they have long been engaged in a movement for the restoration of democracy, the BNP leader said that elections are necessary for establishing democracy. “That’s why we talk about elections; it is our right. We have been fighting for elections for so long.”

In an oblique reference to Jamaat-e-Islami, Fakhrul said the BNP, along with these parties, waged a movement for the restoration of the election-time caretaker government, which had been annulled by the Awami League regime.

 “Many of those parties were subjected to torture during this movement. Their office was even closed. So, I won’t think anything else excluding that issue of the movement,” he observed.

Fakhrul said they should not forget the depoliticisation efforts of the 1/11 regime for the sake of politics, democracy, and the country's welfare. “Even at that time, there were attempts to completely abolish and eliminate our party. We cannot forget these things.”

“If we see those same faces again, it raises considerable suspicion and questions. That’s why we do not want to see the faces of those who worked as allies of the previous Awami League government, those who assisted in their actions, and those who committed murders. The people of this country also do not want to see those who have worked to obstruct and destroy democracy,” the BNP leader observed.

In response to a question about whether he sees any signs of depoliticisation in the current government, he said, “No, I do not see such signs. I am warning you. Some faces scare us. You have seen it too. We haven’t seen them before... suddenly they’re coming to the front page of the media... you (media) are propagating their theories and statements. I don’t want to name anyone. I think this is not good for a healthy democratic process.”

BNP against banning any political party:

When his attention was drawn to the lifting of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Fakhrul said, “We’re not in favour of banning any political party, regardless of which party it is.”

He said that the right to form organisations, which the Constitution guarantees for every citizen, should be upheld.

The BNP secretary general said that a party which doesn’t believe in the independence of Bangladesh should not be supported. “But we think that people have the right to establish organisations. It is their constitutional right to engage in politics. Anyone can do so. We have nothing against it,” he said.

Lawsuits shouldn’t be filed wholesale:

Noting that many cases are now being filed randomly, Fakhrul requested the law enforcement agencies to conduct primary verification first before accepting these cases.

“I think this practice needs to be stopped completely. The way cases are being lodged will not consolidate this revolution,” he said, urging his party leaders and activists not to file any cases that lack merit,” he said.

The BNP leader said they came to know that cases are being filed against the Deputy Commissioners of districts. “It (filing cases against them) is not a right thing,” he said.

About the minority issue, Fakhrul said many campaigns are being carried out from abroad, especially from India, in a bid to undermine the revolution in Bangladesh.  “They want to make some political issues as communal issues, which is unacceptable,” he said.

He said the campaigns are being conducted targeting BNP, which is quite unfair.

“There is a planned campaign to undermine the BNP's contribution. We’ve struggled for a long time. We’ve struggled for 15 years for democracy and the right to vote. It should be remembered that no problem can be solved without an elected parliament in a democracy,” he said.