Govt has started pretexts regarding elections: Tuhin
Mahinul Islam Sujan, Dimla (Nilphamari)
Engineer Shahrin Islam Chowdhury Tuhin, nephew of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, executive member of BNP’s central committee, former Member of Parliament for Nilphamari-1 (Domar-Dimla) constituency, and president of the district BNP, said, the government is talking about reforms.
He noted that the government, along with newspapers and those opposed to BNP, claim that BNP does not want reforms. However, he pointed out that if one looks at the past, BNP was the first party to announce a 31-point reform proposal. Unfortunately, there is now a smear campaign against BNP, with various conspiracies to prevent the party from coming to power. He asserted that despite 18 years of conspiracies, no one has been able to stop BNP, and, God willing, they will not succeed in the future either.
Tuhin remarked that the current interim government has also started making various pretexts regarding elections. He emphasized that BNP is fully supporting this government and will continue to do so as long as it moves toward holding elections through a democratic process. However, he warned that if the government deviates from this path, lessons should be learned from the past. He claimed there are “ghosts” within the government who are scheming in various ways. He further alleged that some are contemplating creating a corridor for Myanmar, which, if done without discussions with the people and political parties, could lead to a war-like situation in the country. Tuhin stressed that after enduring 16 years of oppression, BNP does not want the country to become war-torn or elections to be delayed due to the greed of any conspiratorial group.
Referring to Sheikh Hasina, he said, “God’s punishment is beyond this world. The food was prepared, but she didn’t get the chance to eat it and had to flee.” In contrast, he spoke about BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia, whom he claimed was targeted for assassination bit by bit. He alleged that she was falsely accused in a fabricated embezzlement case involving money that was never misappropriated, leading to her six-year imprisonment. He further claimed that attempts were made to poison her, causing severe illness. Tuhin highlighted that BNP leaders and activists have faced attacks, lawsuits, abductions, and murders, with some unable to sleep at home for years. He condemned such a governance system, stating it cannot represent the country’s administration. He called for a return to a democratic system where a government is formed through elected representatives, promising to strive for good governance as soon as possible.
These statements were made during a public reception and rally organized by the Dimla Upazila BNP on Sunday in the late afternoon at the Dimla Islamia Degree College field in Tuhin’s electoral area in Nilphamari’s Dimla Upazila.
Tuhin remarked that the current interim government has also started making various pretexts regarding elections. He emphasized that BNP is fully supporting this government and will continue to do so as long as it moves toward holding elections through a democratic process. However, he warned that if the government deviates from this path, lessons should be learned from the past. He claimed there are “ghosts” within the government who are scheming in various ways. He further alleged that some are contemplating creating a corridor for Myanmar, which, if done without discussions with the people and political parties, could lead to a war-like situation in the country. Tuhin stressed that after enduring 16 years of oppression, BNP does not want the country to become war-torn or elections to be delayed due to the greed of any conspiratorial group.
Referring to Sheikh Hasina, he said, “God’s punishment is beyond this world. The food was prepared, but she didn’t get the chance to eat it and had to flee.” In contrast, he spoke about BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia, whom he claimed was targeted for assassination bit by bit. He alleged that she was falsely accused in a fabricated embezzlement case involving money that was never misappropriated, leading to her six-year imprisonment. He further claimed that attempts were made to poison her, causing severe illness. Tuhin highlighted that BNP leaders and activists have faced attacks, lawsuits, abductions, and murders, with some unable to sleep at home for years. He condemned such a governance system, stating it cannot represent the country’s administration. He called for a return to a democratic system where a government is formed through elected representatives, promising to strive for good governance as soon as possible.
These statements were made during a public reception and rally organized by the Dimla Upazila BNP on Sunday in the late afternoon at the Dimla Islamia Degree College field in Tuhin’s electoral area in Nilphamari’s Dimla Upazila.
The event was chaired by Upazila BNP President Principal Monowar Hossain and moderated by General Secretary Badiuzzaman Rana and Organizational Secretary Golam Rabbani Pradhan. The chief speaker was District BNP President A.Kh.M Alamgir Sarker, with District BNP General Secretary Zahurul Alam and Upazila BNP Senior Vice-President Arif-ul Islam Liton as special speakers.
Addressing the activists, Tuhin urged them to remain vigilant and aware, stating that if the party leadership directs, they would take to the streets again if necessary to secure democratic rights. He recalled that in 1975, democracy was destroyed in the country, and the Awami League was banned—not by another party but by Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman himself, who formed BAKSAL and banned all political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and JASAD, as well as all newspapers except four national dailies that followed the government’s orders. Tuhin credited Shaheed Ziaur Rahman for restoring multi-party democracy in the country.
He further stated that over the past 16 years, BNP could not freely express opinions or move independently. Noting that the majority of the country’s people are religious Muslims but not fanatics, he clarified that BNP does not engage in politics in the name of religion. He emphasized that religion is personal, but the state belongs to all, a principle upheld by Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and Tarique Rahman. Despite enduring 16 years of oppression, Tuhin praised Tarique Rahman for organizing the party from abroad, even after facing physical torture himself.
It ismentioned that after being abroad for one and a half decades, former MP Tuhin returned to the country on April 22. On April 29, he surrendered to Dhaka’s Special Judge-9 Kabir Uddin Pramanik’s court in a tax evasion case and applied for bail, which was rejected, leading to his imprisonment. On the same day, he surrendered to Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-7 Pradeep Kumar Roy in a case of illegal wealth acquisition and applied for bail, which was also rejected. Subsequently, Nilphamari District BNP, along with its six upazila units, held protests and rallies until May 7, demanding Tuhin’s unconditional release and withdrawal of the cases. On May 8, the High Court granted him interim bail during his appeal hearing.
Addressing the activists, Tuhin urged them to remain vigilant and aware, stating that if the party leadership directs, they would take to the streets again if necessary to secure democratic rights. He recalled that in 1975, democracy was destroyed in the country, and the Awami League was banned—not by another party but by Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman himself, who formed BAKSAL and banned all political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and JASAD, as well as all newspapers except four national dailies that followed the government’s orders. Tuhin credited Shaheed Ziaur Rahman for restoring multi-party democracy in the country.
He further stated that over the past 16 years, BNP could not freely express opinions or move independently. Noting that the majority of the country’s people are religious Muslims but not fanatics, he clarified that BNP does not engage in politics in the name of religion. He emphasized that religion is personal, but the state belongs to all, a principle upheld by Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and Tarique Rahman. Despite enduring 16 years of oppression, Tuhin praised Tarique Rahman for organizing the party from abroad, even after facing physical torture himself.
It ismentioned that after being abroad for one and a half decades, former MP Tuhin returned to the country on April 22. On April 29, he surrendered to Dhaka’s Special Judge-9 Kabir Uddin Pramanik’s court in a tax evasion case and applied for bail, which was rejected, leading to his imprisonment. On the same day, he surrendered to Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-7 Pradeep Kumar Roy in a case of illegal wealth acquisition and applied for bail, which was also rejected. Subsequently, Nilphamari District BNP, along with its six upazila units, held protests and rallies until May 7, demanding Tuhin’s unconditional release and withdrawal of the cases. On May 8, the High Court granted him interim bail during his appeal hearing.
