BNP ready to foil any conspiracy: Rizvi

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed alleged defeated forces and their supporters are conspiring to undermine the country's stability and destroy social harmony.

BNP leaders and activists remain alert and prepared like “sleepless sentinels” to foil any acts of sabotage or conspiracies surrounding the upcoming Durga Puja, he said.

He made the remarks while addressing a discussion as the chief guest at the National Press Club on Monday, marking the 10th death anniversary of late Brigadier General (retd.) A S M Hannan Shah, a former member of the BNP Standing Committee and a former minister.

Rizvi said various conspiracies remained active, as in the past, to jeopardise the country's independence and sovereignty. Attempts were being made to create disorder in various institutions across the country, he added. He also said that two retired military officers had been arrested the previous day over allegations of planning sabotage.

Criticising the previous government, Rizvi said widespread plundering, extortion, and the seizure of people's land, property and assets, which had created anarchy across the country, were not part of BNP's political beliefs. BNP's politics, he said, was based on peace, stability and the establishment of the rule of law.

Referring to the country's electricity and energy crisis, Rizvi said the war in the Middle East and the global situation had created difficulties in diesel imports.

Recalling the late Hannan Shah, Rizvi said he had been a symbol of courage in the face of injustice, oppression and fascism. During the difficult period of the One-Eleven political crisis, amid alleged conspiracies by a clique at the army headquarters, Hannan Shah had taken charge of the party at the risk of his life.

The meeting was chaired by Gazipur District BNP Convener and lawmaker Fazlul Haque Milon. Freedom fighter Khandaker Azizul Rahman Pera moderated the event. BNP Organising Secretary Saiyedul Alam Babul was the chief speaker.

Among others, Shah Riyazul Hannan, former general secretary of Gazipur District BNP, and Dr Chowdhury Ishrak Ahmed Siddiqui (Barrister Ishrak), member secretary of the current district BNP committee and administrator of the Gazipur District Council, also spoke.