Online Desk  :   BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged the interim government not to treat the country’s political parties as its opponents.  Fakhrul made the call on Friday referring to Information Adviser Nahid Islam’s recent remarks that political parties are trying to undermine the interim government. While addressing a programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh marking the Martyred Intellectual Day to be observed on Saturday, he said that the country’s political parties are extending their all-out support to the government to make its mission successful.

“We’ve said it a thousand times, even our party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is frequently saying that the failure of the interim government means the failure of the people. Why are such remarks being made?” he called upon Nahid to withdraw his remarks. UNB adds: During the discussion, he said, “I don’t know why or in what context he said this, or whether he understood the meaning of it. This is a dangerous allegation. I strongly condemn and protest against it. I think he should withdraw his comment.”

Fakhrul called upon the interim government to be cautious in making its statements. “Please don’t make political parties your opponents.” He said the students, the people, and political parties, including the BNP, have all entrusted the interim government with the responsibility to create an environment in which a fair election can be held and a people’s government and parliament can be established. “Political parties are supporting you (govt), but you’re claiming they are working to make you fail. We have stated this countless times, and our acting chairman has also said that the failure of this government would mean the failure of the people and of us. So, why do you make such statements?” the BNP leader said.

He said the government and democratic forces must be very cautious with their words and actions. “We shouldn’t say anything that undermines our victory or destroys our achievements. This is the most critical time—one wrong step could lead to a setback, causing you to fall into a ditch,” Fakhrul cautioned. Fakhrul said the “fascist” ruler Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh and took refuge in India, is actively working against the interests of the country. He also said the Awami League leaders and workers are continuously engaging in false propaganda and spreading misinformation against the country using social media.

The BNP leader urged his party colleagues to be active on social media, countering the misinformation with facts and intellectual discourse. He said BNP leaders and workers must continue their efforts to institutionalise democracy and establish a healthy democratic political culture in Bangladesh. “There is still much work ahead of us. Many people believe their job is done now as Hasina has fled, but we have a long way to go before we can make democracy both a culture and a system. Let’s take an oath that we will build ourselves into worthy citizens of the country and dedicated democratic workers,” Fakhrul said.

He said democracy is not just a notion but a culture. “We must learn how to speak, how to behave, how to interact with our neighbours, and how to engage with our political opponents in a democratic way. Democracy does not mean cutting someone’s throat for supporting the Awami League or BNP. Democracy means absolute tolerance.” Fakhrul also expressed concern over a current tendency to overshadow the 1971 Liberation War by glorifying the recent mass upsurge. “I believe this is part of a larger conspiracy to distance the nation from its original history. We see this as a distortion of history, and we must be careful about it.”