Hasnat Mocks BNP Government, Says Tarique Rahman Is Driving an Unfit Vehicle
National Citizen Party (NCP) Joint Chief Organiser for the Southern Region Hasnat Abdullah has criticised the BNP government, comparing it to an unfit vehicle with Tarique Rahman in the driver's seat. He said that even a skilled driver would be unable to reach the destination if the vehicle's engine and wheels were not functioning properly. According to him, changing leadership alone would not bring the desired results without fundamental reforms to the state structure.
Hasnat made the remarks at a discussion meeting held at the NCP's central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, on Tuesday afternoon, October 13. The party's committee on monitoring trials related to the July massacre and enforced disappearances organised the event under the title “Justice for the July Massacre: The Gap Between Political Promises and Reality.”
Hasnat Abdullah said that the expectation had been to transform the state structure and ensure equal and fair treatment for everyone. However, although individuals had assumed new positions as ministers, state ministers and members of parliament, the anticipated fundamental changes to the state structure had not taken place.
Questioning the BNP's political stance, he alleged that a section of the party maintained links with the Awami League. He argued that although the BNP referred to the July uprising in its statements, its political activities indicated a tendency to rehabilitate the Awami League.
The NCP leader also alleged discrimination between long-standing BNP activists and those who joined the party more recently. He claimed that many BNP leaders and activists who had faced persecution, lawsuits and imprisonment during the Awami League's rule were not receiving adequate recognition within the party. Meanwhile, he alleged, a section of newer members was gaining business advantages and opportunities to exercise influence.
Hasnat also expressed concern over investigations into cases filed over killings and violence during the July mass uprising. He alleged that large numbers of people had been named as accused in many cases without adequate consultation with the victims. He further claimed that some cases were subsequently being used as a means of extracting money and conducting settlement-related transactions. However, he did not present detailed evidence to substantiate these allegations.
Calling for investigations to be completed promptly and chargesheets to be filed against the actual perpetrators, Hasnat said that accountability for crimes committed during the Awami League government's tenure must be ensured. In his view, delays in investigations were raising questions about whether those genuinely responsible would face justice.
The NCP leader also criticised the government's economic policies. He argued that achieving the government's targeted GDP growth rate of 6.5 per cent could prove difficult under the current circumstances. Referring to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast, he raised concerns about economic growth potentially falling to 3.42 per cent.
Hasnat also alleged irregularities in employment generation and the distribution of business opportunities. He claimed that members of influential political families were receiving greater advantages than ordinary citizens. He further raised allegations of favouritism in the allocation of dealership rights for fertilisers and other products, as well as in the awarding of government contracts.
Hasnat Abdullah also levelled allegations of corruption, unexplained increases in wealth and abuse of influence against Salahuddin Ahmed, who holds the portfolios of home affairs and law. He claimed that Salahuddin Ahmed's son had moved from university teaching into the contracting business. He also questioned the relationships between politically influential individuals and various business enterprises. No detailed evidence was presented in the speech to substantiate these allegations.
Addressing the issue of justice for the Awami League, Hasnat said that accountability must extend beyond individuals to the party itself. He alleged that the party had not formally acknowledged responsibility for its past wrongdoing. He also argued that discussions about reconciliation would be unacceptable without an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Citing South Africa's political transformation following the end of apartheid, Hasnat called for the issue of justice and accountability for the Awami League to be considered in a similar context. He also demanded the swift conclusion of trials in cases involving killings during the Awami League's rule, the implementation of court verdicts and efforts to bring fugitive accused individuals back to the country.
Addressing BNP's grassroots activists, Hasnat said that many had endured years of political persecution but continued to face political and economic marginalisation. In contrast, he alleged that family members of influential party leaders were receiving advantages in business and party nominations.
Concluding his remarks, Hasnat Abdullah said that their struggle would continue until justice and accountability were ensured. He stressed that even the most senior ministers in the BNP government must work in the public interest and ensure that allegations of corruption are properly investigated and justice is delivered.
