NCP’s rally in Manik Mia Avenue seemed like a royal reception: BNP leader Bulu

BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu has questioned the financial activities of the National Citizen Party (NCP), which comprises July Uprising protest leaders.

Speaking at the National Press Club on Tuesday, Bulu asked how those who lived in university halls and survived on tuition money before Aug 5, 2024, suddenly became so rich.

“This is an ominous sign for the nation. Muhammad Yunus will deliver the nation from this ‒ that is our demand,” he said.

Bulu complained that the official unveiling of the party had occurred under the patronage of the government, while people were brought to attend it from all over the country.

“The day the party rallied in Manik Mia Avenue, it seemed to be a royal reception.”

No other political party ever debuted like this in Bangladesh’s history, he said.

"Numerous vehicles were arranged through the administration to bring all the deputy commissioners and others to Dhaka, costing tens of millions—this has raised questions everywhere,” he said.

Mentioning that people were calling them the “king’s party”, Bulu said: “Today we can see - advisors in your [Yunus] government began the process of forming a political party from within.”

“Many said -- a king’s party is being formed under your [Yunus’] leadership. An advisor then stepped out of the government and formed a party.”

On Jamaat’s role, Bulu said: “I want to clearly say that Jamaat together with the Awami League observed a 175-day work stoppage against the BNP government in 1996. And they joined the Awami League for a movement on caretaker government then.”

 “The leader of the country then incorporated a non-partisan caretaker government system into the Constitution for the welfare of the people, for democracy,” he added.

Bulu then went on to question Jamaat chief’s statement about “forgiving everyone who wronged the country” after Aug 5.

 “Who are you to forgive? People have questions about these things Jamaat did.”

Bulu highlighted the 1971 Liberation War as a “foundation” of Bangladesh.

 “Those from the anti-discrimination movement suddenly said ‘We want to revert to the state before 1947, we don’t accept 1971.”

 “Those who don’t accept 1971 and 1952 don’t believe in martyred President Ziaur Rahman either,” he said.

 “1971 is the cornerstone of our freedom, our foundation; 1971 shaped Bangladesh at the expense of three million martyrs. So those who don’t accept 1971, I think, have no right to ask for votes from the people of this country, nor do they deserve to be candidates.”

"I think the Liberation War was fought for the democracy that Bangladesh came into being through the declaration of Ziaur Rahman and for no other reason."

Bulu also expressed disappointment over the deterioration of law and order in the country.

"The country can't run like this. What's happening every day is clear. A democratic government must be in place to bring change—we need an elected government," he said.

 “I want to say that law and order will return to the country as soon as the [general] election is held,” he added.