Abbas ordered attack on Patwary, Tarique consented: Nahid

NCP Convenor Nahid Islam has alleged that the “attack” on the party’s Dhaka-8 candidate Nasiruddin Patwary was carried out on the “instructions” of BNP candidate Mirza Abbas, with the “consent” of Tarique Rahman.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Nahid said attempts to intimidate his party would not succeed.

 “We removed Hasina through a mass uprising, and now we cannot speak against Mirza Abbas? If they think fear will stop us, they are mistaken,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the NCP’s Chief Coordinator Patwary attended a pitha festival at Habibullah Bahar University College in Malibagh.

When Patwary arrived at the venue, a group of men began shouting slogans against him. The situation later escalated into a scuffle.

Eggs were thrown at Patwary, who also alleged physical assault.

 “Mirza Abbas’s men launched a sudden attack on us at Habibullah Bahar College,” Patwary said, demanding Abbas’s expulsion from the BNP and urging BNP chief Tarique to take action.

At the same press conference, Nahid made a series of critical remarks about Abbas’s political career.

 “We grew up in Dhaka, we know Mirza Abbas’s history. Ziaur Rahman called Mirza Abbas, gave him Tk 30 and a motorcycle, and told him to join politics,” Nahid said.

He claimed the BNP leader built a “political empire” in Dhaka and that the public was aware of how it was formed.

Referring to the BNP’s time in power, he said people had not forgotten the party’s activities between 2001 and 2006.

 “If this behaviour continues, we will be forced to speak about the past,” he said, warning that the BNP would not fare well in the election if it failed to change course.

Nahid also alleged that Abbas and other senior BNP leaders had engaged in politics over the past 16 years through “collusion with Awami League leaders”.

He claimed they were involved in business dealings and stayed off the streets, while grassroots activists of Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal were prepared to “sacrifice” their lives, later joining the uprising alongside NCP.