BNP Chairperson’s Advisor, veteran freedom fighter Abdus Salam, stated that Bangladesh’s politics is divided into two factions. On one side are the Awami League and its like-minded allies, who align with Indian hegemony. On the other side are nationalist forces, including the BNP and other political parties. To save the country, people must unite under BNP’s banner.

He emphasized that Bangladesh should cease all imports from India, criticizing those who engage in servitude to Indian dominance. Salam declared, “If we don’t act as India’s agents, we won’t need to beg anyone.”

He made these remarks as the chief guest at a meeting organized by Sirajganj District BNP on Monday (December 23) at the Sirajganj Multipurpose High School grounds.

Salam also addressed misconceptions about elections, stating, “Some believe that BNP will automatically come to power if elections are held. Delaying elections by three, six, or even twelve months is pointless. Whenever elections are held, the BNP will win by a landslide, InshaAllah.” He criticized Sheikh Hasina’s rhetoric, saying, “She claims there’s no one to vote for. Many wonder if Tarique Rahman can lead the country, but the people believe in him.”

To party leaders and activists, Salam urged patience, stating, “You have endured hardships for so long; bear them a little longer. The struggle isn’t over. Both national and international conspiracies exist to keep BNP out of power. This is because BNP’s governance would bring substantial progress to the country and its economy. Those who benefit from India’s dominance want to prevent this.”

Referring to those who faced losses during the party’s struggles, he added, “We will support families and individuals who were injured, displaced, or lost loved ones. Our leader, Tarique Rahman, and the state are assisting the families of those who died on August 5.”

Salam recounted the repression faced by BNP activists, saying, “For 17 years, we couldn’t even organize meetings like this. BNP activists couldn’t walk freely in their localities, stay in their homes, or go to markets. Awami League burned down houses and punished BNP activists by setting moving trains on fire during Khaleda Zia’s public meeting in Sirajganj, killing seven people and displacing countless others. Yet, BNP has survived.”

He criticized the Awami League’s authoritarian tendencies, stating, “From 1972 to 1975, the Awami League destroyed democracy, depriving people of fundamental rights and even the guarantee of natural death. Starvation turned many into unclaimed corpses. The Awami League hasn’t learned from history; otherwise, it wouldn’t have chosen the path of oppression for the past 15 years.”

Quoting Maulana Bhashani’s warning to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Salam said, “Bhashani told Mujib at Paltan Maidan to control his party as the country was being looted by his allies. In response, Awami League leaders justified their actions, saying they had worked hard and deserved to indulge. Their greed eventually consumed Sheikh Mujib himself.”

Highlighting the struggles of BNP supporters, Salam said, “Before August 5, BNP activists couldn’t sleep at home or hold on to their businesses and jobs due to Awami League’s oppression. Naturally, this caused resentment. But our leaders Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman instructed us not to reclaim lost assets forcefully. Under their leadership, no disorder occurred.”

Concluding, Salam emphasized, “The Awami League and BNP are incomparable. History shows that only BNP can truly work for the welfare of the people.”

The event was moderated by former MP and district BNP president Rumana Mahmood and BNP’s central executive committee member and district general secretary Saidur Rahman Bacchu. Special guests included BNP’s Rajshahi divisional organizing secretary Advocate Shaheen Shawkat and assistant organizing secretary Amirul Islam Khan Alim.