Fakhrul sees Hadi shooting as ‘plot to derail election'

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has described the shooting of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a potential independent contender for Dhaka-8 and convenor of the Inquilab Mancha platform, as “a conspiracy to derail the general election”.

On Friday afternoon, during a discussion event, he urged that those behind the attack be arrested without delay.

He said the election schedule had only been announced the previous day and a candidate had already come under attack, adding that he condemned the incident.

He warned that “a force seeking to disrupt the election appeared to have resumed its manoeuvres”.

The senior BNP leader called on the government to ensure the safety of all candidates.

A statement signed by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi termed the attack “a blueprint to disrupt the electoral environment by spreading criminal activities”, adding that “a certain quarter is trying to fish in troubled waters through such acts”.

“Attempts are being made to instill fear and panic in society to reap benefits,” the statement read.

The BNP condemned the attack and announced nationwide protests on Saturday.

Hadi was shot shortly after Jummah prayers in the capital’s Bijoynagar. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in critical condition.

Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman, director of DMCH, told bdnews24.com at 5pm: “There is a bullet lodged inside his head. His surgery is under way in the operating theatre.”

He added that Hadi has been placed on life support.