BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has claimed that late Arafat Rahman Koko, youngest son of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, was “martyred” in the fight for democracy.
“Koko’s death was not natural. It was caused by the oppression of the Sheikh Hasina government,” Rizvi alleged while addressing a prayer ceremony and food distribution at Banani graveyard on Koko’s 56th birth anniversary – observed on Tuesday.
Referring to the political unrest since 1986, Rizvi highlighted recent attacks on police in Chattogram amid heightened tensions ahead of the national election.
He accused the “fallen Awami League government” of continuing to strengthen fascism through various conspiracies aimed at undermining nationalist forces and democratic rights.
According to Rizvi, conspirators “of the defeated fascism” are operating from abroad with the help of black money and illegal arms from a neighbouring country to destabilise the situation and create disputes over the next election.
The BNP leader mentioned that Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has announced the election period, and the Election Commission will soon publish the schedule, but warned that “many are plotting to manipulate the process.”
“Our leader Begum Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman waged an uncompromising battle for an ideal, inspiring leaders and workers to sacrifice for the country’s independence and sovereignty,” Rizvi said, adding that the Sheikh Hasina government fled on August 5 “amid a turbulent student and public movement,” yet attempts to revive fascism persist.
Senior BNP leaders, including Organising Secretary Sayedul Alam Babu, Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarfat Ali Sapu, and leaders of BNP’s Dhaka North and South units, attended the programme.
