Prince questions Opposition’s alleged silence over AL sabotage attempts

BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince on Wednesday raised questions over what he claimed the opposition’s silence concerning the suspected sabotage attempts by Awami Leauge (AL), now a banned political party.

The silence over AL sabotage was sending “a new message” to the people about the Opposition’s plans, Prince said, as he alleged that the opposition was also trying to destabilise and confuse the nation through street movements.

Prince, also Mymensingh district administrator, urged party leaders and activists to remain vigilant and monitor the movements and activities of such groups in their respective areas.

He made the remarks while addressing a special joint meeting of the Jugli Union BNP and its affiliated and associate organizations at Chatugaon Bazar in Jugli Union No. 2 of Haluaghat Upazila, Mymensingh, on Wednesday evening.

The meeting was organized to determine strategies for the upcoming Union Parishad elections, counter what BNP described as opposition propaganda, and address alleged acts of sabotage by the Awami League, whose activities have been banned. Responsible leaders of the Union and ward-level BNP, along with affiliated and associate organizations, shared their views at the meeting.

Syed Emran Saleh Prince said the opposition certainly has the right to criticize the government’s mistakes. However, he said the language and nature of what he described as misleading and provocative propaganda being used in opposition protests against a seven-month-old government cannot be considered healthy political activity.

“Rather, these are attempts to create instability,” he said, adding that such efforts by the opposition are bound to fail.

He said that after the mass uprising, people want to see constructive politics instead of traditional political practices.

Referring to alleged attempts by the banned Awami League to create disorder, he said the party had presented itself as a militant force through its attempts to create sabotage. He also alleged that the silence of the opposition regarding the activities of banned and underground groups targeting December, as well as alleged sabotage by the Awami League, was sending a new message to the nation.

Regarding the upcoming Union Parishad elections, the BNP Joint Secretary General said party leaders and activists must begin organizing and strengthening unity from now on.

He said that although local government elections may not be held using party symbols, party leaders and activists should follow the central party’s decision, support a single candidate on behalf of the party, and work collectively to secure victory.

He said that even if there are multiple qualified candidates, the party should support the candidate who is more popular, acceptable, honest, and trustworthy. He warned that no division should be created within the party for personal interests over the selection of a candidate.

“Everyone must accept the party’s decision in the greater interest of the organization. The party’s decision will be everyone’s decision,” he said, adding that the party would be compelled to take strict action against those who defy its decisions.

Calling for greater discipline and a stronger sense of responsibility among party leaders and activists, Prince said BNP is a large democratic political party and the conduct of every party member reflects the image of the organisation.

“Therefore, the party’s organisational unity and image must not be undermined through any form of disorder, personal interest, or conflicting activities,” he said.

He added, “A criminal has no political party. Anyone involved in crime or unethical activities under the identity of the party will receive no exemption.”

He further said that party leaders should not approach the public only during elections. Instead, they must remain beside the people throughout the year, listen to their problems, raise those issues with the administration and relevant government authorities, and take effective initiatives to resolve them.

Speaking about the development of Jugli Union, he said a priority-based development list should be prepared for the union.

“It is necessary to identify which roads need repair, where bridges or culverts are required, what problems exist in the education and health sectors, and where there are shortages in electricity and water supply,” he said.

He emphasized that development plans should be prepared by giving the highest priority to the needs of the people.

The special joint meeting of Jugli Union BNP was chaired by Abdul Jalil, president of the Union BNP, and moderated by Abdus Sattar, general secretary.

Among those who addressed the meeting were Aslam Mia Babul, convener of Haluaghat Upazila BNP; Abu Hasnat Badrul Kabir, member secretary; Professor Amzad Ali, joint convener; and Union BNP leaders Qari Abul Kashem, Shajahan Mahmud, Aqiqul Islam, Muqtadir Ahsan, Al Amin Chomok, and Mostafizur Rahman, among others.