Threats of movement over July Charter part of conspiracy: Prince

BNP Joint Secretary General and Mymensingh Zila Parishad Administrator Syed Emran Saleh Prince on Thursday said that threats of movement over the July charter are part of a conspiracy, warning that such attempts would ultimately backfire.

He made the remarks while addressing a pre-rally gathering in Haluaghat upazila of Mymensingh, where a procession and rally were held marking Independence and National Day, organised by BNP and its associate bodies.

The procession was led by Prince and began from DS Madrasa field in the municipal town, marching through different roads before ending at the central Shaheed Minar in Uttar Bazar, where a brief gathering was held.

Speaking at the rally, he said, “Attempts by the Jamaat-NCP alliance to create agitation over the July Charter will never succeed; rather, it will backfire.”

He added that BNP does not reject or disregard the July Charter, stating, “We have been saying from the beginning that the charter signed by BNP and other political parties will be upheld and implemented. Propaganda and attempts to create unrest over it are part of a conspiracy.”

He also said, “They claim to know the path of movements; we too know well how to tackle conspiracies.”

Referring to the current situation, Prince said the government had begun implementing election pledges within a short time despite economic pressure and the Middle East conflict, which, he alleged, had angered vested groups, including the Jamaat-NCP alliance.

Criticising remarks by the Jamaat chief on the local government system, he said appointing administrators to city corporations and district councils was lawful. “Calling these appointments unconstitutional is completely motivated and amounts to disregard for the law,” he said.

He further said such appointments were aimed at making dormant institutions functional and people-oriented, adding that the government would soon decide on holding elections at different tiers of local government.

Recalling the 1971 Liberation War, Prince said it was a struggle for the nation’s existence against the Pakistani forces’ atrocities. “After the brutal attack on 25 March, when the nation awaited direction, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman declared revolt and later announced independence from Kalurghat, inspiring the nation to join the war,” he said.

He criticised those who opposed independence in 1971, saying they had not apologised and were now attempting to mislead people by invoking the spirit of independence.

Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, including Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal, attended the programme.

Earlier in the morning, Prince placed wreaths at the Haluaghat Martyrs’ Memorial.