Dhaka:Awami League, whose activities are currently banned, has been accused by Abdus Salam, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator and Dhaka South City BNP Convener, of turning the country into 'hell' every time it came to power.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Salam stated that instead of building the country in the spirit of the War of Liberation after independence, the Awami League had destroyed democracy, deprived people of their fundamental rights, and failed to govern the country effectively.
Salam made these remarks during a rally at the Jatiya Press Club organized by the Jatiyatabadi Matyajibi Dal to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day. He criticized the then Awami League government for taking a path that led to the destruction of democracy and the removal of people's basic rights, contrary to the ideals expected after the War of Liberation.
He further mentioned that during times of famine, people died of starvation, and unidentified bodies were found on the streets of Dhaka, with no one to bury them. Salam emphasized that the BNP had consistently stood by the people during disasters and difficult periods, which is why the public supported the party. He asserted that the BNP is the party that can protect the country's democracy and independence.
Salam also noted that resolving such issues would take time, but warned that destabilizing programs were creating opportunities for fascism to return. He addressed the Awami League, stating that actions like burning vehicles and exploding crude bombs would not benefit anyone, as the people of Bangladesh have never supported any underground political party or terrorism.
He highlighted that despite facing 17 years of oppression, persecution, enforced disappearances, and killings, the BNP had never gone underground and had continued its movement by staying with the people and building public opinion, eventually ending authoritarian rule through a mass uprising.
BNP Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarfat Ali Sapu also spoke at the event.