Staff Reporter:
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that democracy in Bangladesh is facing serious threats due to planned efforts to create instability in the country.
“Few political parties have been plotting since the July Uprising, before the 13th National election. They want there to be no democracy in the country. It will be the government’s responsibility to identify these plots and systematically thwart them,” he said.
The BNP leader came up with the statement while speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Friday. The meeting was organised in memory of late BNP MP Mahbubul Alam Tara and his elder brother, late politician Mahbubul Haque.
He warned that even though democracy returned to the country through elections four months ago, it is still not free from danger. “There is a planned and conscious effort all around to damage everything, make it meaningless, and thereby create anarchy.”
Mirza Fakhrul further warned the political parties that a force that does not believe in democracy is emerging in the country. “All democratic forces should unite so that this force cannot stand tall,” he added.
He further said that currently, the country’s politics is heading towards a terrible and worrying situation due to the misuse of social media.
“There is an attempt to introduce politicians as the most despicable people in society. You will notice that there is a conspiracy going on to destroy politics. This situation is not comfortable for healthy politics,” he added.
This senior politician said those involved in online bullying are targeting politicians on social media in a very planned manner. “The language and context they bring in a very planned manner are enough to destroy the normal flow of politics.”
Highlighting the political stance of his party, he said that, “The BNP is a liberal democratic political party, not a revolutionary party. It would be wrong if anyone expects revolution from the BNP.”
BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu presided over the commemoration programme. He also urged all members of the party to be vigilant in combating propaganda and various conspiracies against the BNP on social media.
He said there are bot networks behind these campaigns. “There is hardly any abusive language left unused against our leaders on social media,” he said.
“We must remain alert. Our enemies are everywhere. Even then, the people are with the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman,” Dudu added.
Retired Dhaka University professor and economist Professor Mahbub Ullah was the special guest at the programme.
He recalled the popularity of the late Mahbubul Alam Tara and his contribution to the movement and struggle and said that he had become a trusted leader among the youth in his student life. He also left a mark of success in his business life.
Family members of Mahbubul Haque and Mahbubul Alam Tara were also present at the event. They proposed naming a facility or road in Feni district after the two late politicians. Supporting the proposal, Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul advised local BNP leaders to take the initiative in this regard.
