BNP denies link to income tax office agitation

BNP has no connection with the movement in the income tax office, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Friday.

He warned that stern action would be taken against those who are involved in misconducts in the name of BNP in government offices.

"BNP has no connection with the movement in the income tax office. A privileged group is carrying out the movement in the name of BNP to achieve their own interests," Rizvi commented.

BNP's acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman has been taking actions against those who are using the party name in their wrongdoing, he added.

He said these while addressing a discussion meeting on the occasion of the Rath Yatra organised by the Dhaka Metropolitan Puja Udjapan Front at Naya Paltan in the capital on Friday.

The BNP leader said, "If anyone carries out a movement in the name of BNP in government offices without the party's permission, BNP is not responsible for this. Because, BNP does not support such movements. The individuals or groups who are using BNP's name in income tax office agitation are not from BNP."

Rizvi urged party leaders and activists to be vigilant in this regard. He said that the opportunity created through blood and struggle will form the basis of a good political environment in the future. True democracy will be established.

He further said that the words of former Chief Election Commissioner Habibul Awal have made it clear that all elections were held illegally during Hasina's tenure.

The senior BNP leader also expressed hope that the country's political crisis would be resolved by organising fair elections under an interim government.

He said, "Our movement is not just for the transfer of power, but for the establishment of true democracy."

"The interim government is a government of all democratic political parties. We appreciate the good works of the government and criticise where it requires. We hope the government will hold a fair national election in a rational time," he continued.

UNB report: BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council Member Zainul Abedin Farroque on Friday said they believe the interim government is preparing to hold the national election before Ramadan in line with the Chief Adviser's commitment.

"Our humble request to Dr Muhammad Yunus is that you kindly live up to your commitment. An election will be held in the country before Ramadan, and the government is certainly preparing for it. We are hopeful about it," he said.

The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a discussion meeting organised by the Education Development Campaign at the Jatiya Press Club.

Farroque, a former opposition chief whip in parliament, said the government has already delayed the election. "So, let there be no further delay."

He recalled that Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed arranged the national election within three months after the fall of the Ershad government.

"If you had ended the shameful chapter of the past 16 years and held the election within three or even six months, your name would have been written in golden letters in Bangladesh's history. However, it is already late. Still, we are hopeful that the election will be held before Ramadan," the BNP leader said.

He said there are now talks that some party will get 200 to 300 seats, which is creating doubt in the public mind.

Farroque mentioned that some people are still skeptical that elections will not be held until the new party (NCP) becomes stronger.

"But after the London meeting, I am confident as a political activist that the election will be held before Ramadan," he said.

The BNP leader also said the development and improvement of the election system, law and order, and constitutional institutions, including the Anti-Corruption Commission, will depend on the future government.

He expressed the hope that the next government will learn from the atrocities and repression of the Hasina government and ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

He stressed that the judiciary and constitutional institutions must work independently.

He said the education sector will be given the highest priority if BNP forms the government through a fair election.

"When an elected government is formed, elected representatives will address the problems in the education sector. If we cannot improve education, the development of the country and the nation will not be possible. This is clear," Farroque said. He alleged that the education system was ruined by former Education Minister Dipu Moni during the Awami League regime.

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