In Sylhet, Rizvi says defeated forces are fuelling worker unrest

BNP acting secretary general and political adviser to the prime minister Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that defeated forces are behind the worker unrest in Sylhet.

He said: 'Workers are being told lies and brought onto the streets in an attempt to create an unstable environment. Defeated forces are fuelling this work, and examples of it have been found.'

He made the remarks on Monday (2 November) at 2:30 pm at an exchange of views with journalists at Hotel Star Pacific in the Dargah Gate area of Sylhet city. The meeting was organised on the occasion of his Sylhet visit.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said: 'They are interfering here, inciting. They are trying in various ways to incite workers and bring them out. There are examples, there is evidence. Yesterday police arrested 11 Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders and activists from the scene. One of their leaders was involved in that incitement. The organising secretary of Jagannath University Chhatra League has also posted on Facebook admitting their activities.'

He said: 'The defeated forces are trying to bring workers onto the streets with lies in order to destabilise the country. This attempt to fish in troubled waters is now clear to the people.'

Criticising the Jamaat-e-Islami amir's remark that 'another revolution is knocking at the door', Rizvi said: 'Which revolution is knocking at the door? The government is only 18 months old. This government is working on the country's development, economic development, business expansion and many other matters. The prime minister is going abroad and signing various agreements and memoranda of understanding. From there, investment is being brought in and arranged in the country.'

He claimed the BNP fought openly for democracy for 17 years, shedding much blood and sacrificing many lives in that struggle. Attempts to reach power through secret politics, on the other hand, will not be accepted by the people, he said.

Rizvi said: 'The people of this country are strongly pro-democracy. They want to put a political party in power only through free and fair elections. On 12 February, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP and its alliance came to power under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. If anyone tries to come through a back door, the people will not accept it.'

On the country's current political situation, he said the government faced a severe crisis when it took charge. In the meantime, the Iran-US war disrupted energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, creating crises in factories, electricity and gas supply and other sectors. Under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership, however, initiatives have been taken to import energy from alternative countries, and efforts are under way to normalise electricity and gas supply, he said.

He added that the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against crimes such as creating unrest in society, extortion, hooliganism and grabbing people's land. Alongside implementing the BNP's election pledges, the government is working to maintain a stable environment in the country.

Answering a question on local government elections, he said local leaders will decide who is a suitable candidate in an area, who has popularity and a chance of winning. District and upazila-level leaders will select candidates through discussion. After the election schedule is announced, this work will intensify further.

Sylhet City Corporation administrator and district BNP president Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, along with local BNP leaders, were present at the exchange of views.