BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday alleged a systematic removal of pro-BNP officials from key government posts, claiming they are being replaced by loyalists of the ruling Awami League and Jamaat-e-Islami.
Speaking at a discussion organised by Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu Smriti Sangsad at the Jatiya Press Club, the BNP standing committee member said, “BNP-aligned officers are being excluded, while pro-Awami League or at least Jamaat-e-Islami loyalists are being given positions… This trend has now spread to police stations, courts, and all levels of the Secretariat. This BNP-cleansing move has begun.”
The event marked the 10th death anniversary of BNP leader Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu.
Abbas criticised the government, stating, “Those who should be in jail are serving as secretaries, while competent officials from the BNP’s tenure are being sidelined.”
He questioned how former President Abdul Hamid, an accused in a murder case, was allowed to leave the country.
“I read in the newspapers that he wore a lungi, a T-shirt, and a mask while leaving… but how did he get access to the VIP area? Unless you’re a well-connected individual or a VIP, how is that possible?” the BNP leader said.
“If the BNP can be eliminated, Bangladesh’s resources can be plundered like the Awami League did,” he warned, stating that BNP is the only political party still standing against foreign influence.
He also mocked recent rallies at Shahbagh, calling them a “circus” orchestrated to divert attention. “Why suddenly allow protests there when rallies were banned before?” he asked.
Abbas denied allegations that the BNP seeks to “rehabilitate” the Awami League, saying, “Why should we do it? They (AL) have taken 17 years of our lives. We’ve been separated from our families, suffered serious health issues, and none of our families have lived in peace. Not a single one of our activists has had a peaceful night’s sleep in 17 years. And now we are the ones who are supposed to foster and rehabilitate the Awami League?”