BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed stated that the recent fire at the Secretariat was linked to ongoing investigations into alleged corruption involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates.
Speaking at a reunion of the 1988 SSC batch at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Dhaka on Friday, Rizvi said the fire was not an isolated incident but part of a broader conspiracy.
"The fire at the Secretariat occurred soon after files related to corruption investigations involving Sheikh Hasina and her family were requested by an advisor to the interim government," he claimed. "This is no coincidence. Such incidents are deeply concerning and have caused widespread suspicion across the country."
Rizvi noted that the Secretariat, being a highly secure government office, has now raised questions about its safety protocols. He emphasized that critical documents, including files related to a controversial former cabinet secretary under investigation, were destroyed in the fire.
He further alleged that remnants of the previous administration, who had close ties to the Awami League and benefitted from their rule, continue to hold significant positions in the government. "These officials, who served wearing the Mujib coat, remain in key roles and are working to undermine the interim government through various means," Rizvi stated.
The BNP leader reiterated his stance on the importance of holding elections alongside pursuing reforms. "Election is an integral part of democracy. Reforms should not delay or replace the electoral process," he argued, underscoring that both must progress simultaneously to ensure democratic stability.
He stressed that proponents of prioritizing reforms over elections and democracy of harboring "evil intentions," asserting that such an approach is divisive and undermines democratic principles.
Rizvi also criticized the interim government's stance, alleging it mirrors the authoritarian tactics of the past Moyeenuddin-Fakhruddin regime, which he claimed dismantled democratic institutions over the years.
He expressed concerns that the focus on reforms was creating divisions among those fighting for democracy. "This narrative is treating major political parties, who have long struggled for democracy, as adversaries," Rizvi said, warning against delaying elections under the guise of reform.
The BNP leader dismissed proposals for a proportional representation system, describing them as attempts to circumvent direct popular voting and manipulate outcomes. "Such ideas are being floated by those who fear direct competition and seek to exploit uncertainty," he remarked.
Rizvi concluded by warning that such incidents could erode public trust and called on the interim government to act decisively to uphold transparency and democracy.
