Tarique Rahman was 'Captain' of July Movement

Member of Parliament from Bogura-2 and State Minister for Local Government, Mir Shahe Alam, on Tuesday described Tarique Rahman as the "captain" of the July Movement, asserting that the movement's political leadership ultimately rested with him.

Speaking during a discussion on the motion of thanks on the President's address in the Jatiya Sangsad, Shah Alam rejected claims that any single group had claimed undue credit for the movement. 

Referring to remarks by a leader from the National Citizen Party (NCP), he said some had alleged that "students and people played the game, while BNP took the trophy." In response, he stated that the movement was a collective effort, but leadership remained singular.

He further claimed that Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus, had travelled to London to consult Tarique Rahman regarding the election schedule. "This demonstrates who played the main role of leadership," Shah Alam said, adding that such consultations contributed to arranging what he described as a free, fair, and neutral election.

According to Shah Alam, the successful conclusion of the movement and the subsequent election allowed both ruling party and opposition members to participate in what he termed a "historic parliament."

During his speech, Shah Alam also expressed gratitude to the President, noting that although the President was elected with support from the Bangladesh Awami League, the address included strong criticisms of the party. He highlighted references to Ziaur Rahman as the proclaimer of independence and described Khaleda Zia as the "mother of democracy." He also noted that the address characterised the Awami League as "fascist," "autocratic," and accused it of electoral malpractice - remarks he credited to BNP's political stance and leadership.