Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has accused the opposition of engaging in a “new conspiracy” to undermine democracy, alleging that its activities resemble those of fascist forces.
He made the remarks on Friday morning while speaking at a discussion following the inauguration of riverbank protection work along a WAPDA canal in Bhabaniganj Union of Lakshmipur Sadar upazila.
Anee, who is also the BNP joint secretary general, said the opposition’s alleged use of abusive language and violent programmes could not be considered part of democratic politics.
“If this is the beauty of democracy, the people of this country have not accepted them and will not accept them in the future,” he said.
He alleged that the opposition had said bomb and cocktail attacks would not stop unless the demands of an 11-party alliance were met.
“We will confront this force on the streets,” Anee said.
He also alleged that people who fled the country on 5 August were continuing their activities from abroad, including setting fire to vehicles, throwing crude bombs and organising flash processions, and claimed these activities resembled those of the current opposition.
Anee alleged that a “deep conspiracy” is underway against the country, democracy and the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
“This is Zia’s party, this is Khaleda Zia’s party. We have come this far through movements and emerged from the streets. We have confronted conspirators on the streets, and we will confront this force on the streets in the days ahead,” he said.
Anee said the opposition was absent when the government took its oath.
He said differences of opinion and debate were normal in a democracy, but alleged that the opposition was adopting “fascist methods” and had formed alliances with such forces in the past.
He further alleged that opposition lawmakers spoke politely in parliament but used “abusive and indecent” language against the government outside the Parliament.
“The opposition speaks nicely in parliament, and the prime minister increases allocations in response to their demands. But outside parliament, they use language against us that is uncivil, indecent and beyond social etiquette,” he said.
The minister also alleged that the opposition was seeking to prevent the government from functioning peacefully for the next five years.
The programme was attended by Nahid Uz Zaman Khan, executive engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, Lakshmipur, district BNP Joint Convener Hasibur Rahman, Bangladesh Football Federation Vice President Wahid Uddin Chowdhury Happy and Sadar (East) upazila BNP President Main Uddin Chowdhury Riaz, among others.
