No place in BNP for collaborators with Awami League, Mirza Abbas warns at Shahjahanpur meeting

BNP standing committee member and political adviser to the prime minister Mirza Abbas has warned that there will be no place in the BNP for anyone who colludes with the Awami League, whose activities are banned. He said strict organisational action would also be taken against anyone inside the party who shelters Awami League leaders and activists.

He made the remarks on Saturday (31 October) afternoon while speaking as chief guest at an exchange meeting in Shahjahanpur in the capital. The meeting was organised by the BNP units of Shahjahanpur, Motijheel, Paltan, Shahbagh and Ramna police station areas of the Dhaka-8 constituency, together with the party's affiliated and associate organisations.

Mirza Abbas said a section of people, failing to build political strength of their own, are trying to hold processions and meetings in various places by joining hands with the banned Awami League. He alleged that they want to create chaos in the country.

He said there is no obstacle to democratic movements and everyone can do politics. But if wrongdoing is committed, BNP leaders and activists will not sit idle and will resist it firmly, he added.

Warning party leaders and activists, Mirza Abbas said many people are imagining many things, but the BNP has not yet taken to the field. Pointing to the large turnout and emotion at the small meeting held in the rain, he said what could happen if the BNP takes to the streets in Dhaka city can be understood from this.

Raising talk of some Awami League leaders returning from India and taking positions in different areas, he said he has heard that several Awami League leaders are trying to come from India and settle in different areas. He also alleged that some greedy people inside the BNP are sheltering them in exchange for money.

Mirza Abbas said whoever is an enemy of the BNP is also his enemy. If anyone in the party cooperates with them, it must be reported, and action will be taken against them immediately, he said. He added that allies of the opposing side can never be friends of the BNP, and that anyone trying to change their own position using the party's name will not be spared.

Special guests who spoke at the meeting included Dhaka South City Corporation administrator Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam, Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal president Afroza Abbas and Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP member secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin.

Also present were Dhaka Metropolitan South Jubo Dal convener Khandaker Enamul Haque Enam, Swechchhasebak Dal member secretary Saad Morshed Pappa Sikder, Dhaka Metropolitan East Chhatra Dal's Sohag Bhuiya, and BNP and affiliated organisation leaders and activists at various levels.