One of the most pressing challenges facing the BNP, a major political party in Bangladesh, is the legal predicament of its members. Over 6 million leaders and activists, including prominent figures like Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, are entangled in a complex web of legal cases. With approximately 400,000 cases still pending against 6 million individuals nationwide, the party's leadership and rank-and-file members are burdened by the constant threat of legal repercussions. Conversations with party leaders at all levels, including policymakers, have consistently highlighted this as a significant obstacle.
BNP's main goal is to come to power in the next national parliament elections with the support of the people. With this goal, the team is moving forward with various strategies. Acting chairman of the party Tarique Rahman gave necessary instructions to the members of the standing committee. They are working day and night but there are dozens of cases against each of them. The leaders and activists across the country are facing obstacles in implementing that plan due to these criminal cases. Related sources including the central office of BNP have confirmed this information.
In this regard, Member of the National Standing Committee of BNP Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain told Bangladesh Pratidin that the innumerable cases filed by the dictatorial government against millions of BNP leaders and workers are all false, invisible and fabricated. None of these cases have any merit. It is being said from the court that the cases have been filed only out of revenge without any evidence. The process of withdrawing some minor cases has already been started but the speed is very slow. If it continues at this pace, it will take a long time. The cases will never end. In this situation, the duty of the present government is to withdraw these cases as soon as possible.
In this context, Mirza Abbas, a member of the National Standing Committee of the party, said that the sword of the case is now the biggest obstacle for BNP leaders and workers to work freely. Leaders and activists still have to go around the balcony of the court. Attendance is required four to five days a week. There is no other country in the world where so many false and harassing cases have been filed against so many political leaders and workers. In any case, false and missing cases will continue in dictatorship-free Bangladesh, it cannot happen.
We expect the interim government will immediately withdraw all the cases filed against BNP leaders and workers starting from chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tariq Rahman.
BNP Standing Committee member Major (retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad told Bangladesh Pratidin that BNP is a tested democratic and patriotic political party for a long time. All challenges will be met with success Insha Allah. Firstly, to settle the countless cases filed against millions of leaders and workers across the country. Secondly, bringing back the party's figurehead Tarique Rahman to the country after acquitting him of the cases and suits. He said that the party is fully united under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman. The current government must hold national elections on time. There is no alternative.
It is known that since there are dozens of cases in the name of each leader and worker of the BNP, they still have to spend time in the court for these cases. Due to spending time behind the cases, they are not able to focus on organizational activities as well as election preparations.
In this context, Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told Bangladesh Pratidin that the accused in the latest murder case of genocide got bail and released within 48 hours, but the completely false case filed against Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman is not withdrawn. Millions of cases are pending against millions of BNP leaders and workers. I do not understand - why is the government so reluctant to withdraw these false and invisible cases?
He said that the present government is the government of people's consent. The main task of this government is to organize free and fair elections by creating a beautiful and neutral environment. Their government’s duty is to eliminate all types of discrimination. In order to do that, all false, absent and harassing fabricated cases filed unjustly should be withdrawn immediately.
Advisor to BNP Chairperson and former MP Zahir Uddin Swapan told Bangladesh Pratidin that besides facing various challenges, BNP should maintain good relations with the student-people-led government and lead the country towards free, fair and acceptable elections. The support of the international community, the country's military-civilian forces and civil society must also be sought. Along with this, there is the challenge of bringing the acting chairman of the party, Tarique Rahman, who is living in London, back to the country. For this reason, the interim government should immediately withdraw all the false and fabricated cases filed against the two top leaders of the party.
Bd-pratidin English/Jisan
