National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen on Monday declared that the Awami League would not succeed in regaining political ground, citing what he described as a growing “anti-fascist unity.”
Speaking to reporters in New York, Akhter said, “We are not afraid of this. The people of Bangladesh showed the highest level of courage against the Awami League and even sacrificed their lives. They will remain united and Awami League will not be able to return,” reports UNB.
The remarks came after a tense incident at John F Kennedy International Airport, where Akhter and Dr Tasnim Jara, the NCP’s first senior joint member secretary, were greeted by a group of Awami League supporters as they exited the terminal alongside leaders from BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. The protesters shouted slogans, and at one point, eggs were thrown at Akhter before the group managed to enter their vehicles.
Later, at a hotel in New York, Dr Tasnim Jara described the confrontation as part of a wider trend of political aggression, especially toward women.
“This is nothing new. We have seen how women – who were on the front during the movement and now getting involved in politics – were targeted and undermined by the Awami League in Bangladesh. Today, we saw a reflection of that again,” she said.
She emphasized that such incidents would not discourage them from continuing their political work.
“This cannot stop us. Many people are joining with us, and people rejected the Awami League,” she added.
Dr Tasnim further stated that the incident should be seen as an attack on their political ideals rather than an individual.
“This attack shows the fear and despair of the defeated forces. It will not weaken Akhter Hossen but only strengthen his determination,” she said.
The NCP and BNP leaders are in New York as part of the delegation accompanying the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The delegation includes BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, NCP leaders Dr Tasnim Jara and Akhter Hossen, and Jamaat leader Mohammad Nakibur Rahman, who joined from the US.
