Hundreds of Hindu homes, businesses and temples were vandalized after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down. (Photo: AP File)
BNP general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir rejects Sheikh Hasina's claims, denies US air base plan
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has strongly denied reports that the United States plans to acquire military bases in the country, calling the claims “nonsense”.
Ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently seeking refuge in India, has blamed foreign powers such as the United States for playing a role in her ouster. In a message to Awami League supporters, Hasina warned the new interim government not to be “exploited” by such foreign powers. In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Alamgir refuted accusations that the United States was trying to establish an air base and said such talks did not exist.
“It is very unfortunate that someone who has been the Prime Minister of an independent country for the past 15 years should make such irresponsible remarks. Unfortunately, I believe that whenever she has a problem, she always blames others. Alam Gill told CNN that the main reason she left the country and was ousted was due to mismanagement and her failure to rule the country correctly.News 18.
Asked about Hasina's remarks on alleged links between US regime change plans and BNP Paribas, Alamgir said it was “all nonsense”. “These remarks are unreasonable and very irresponsible. I don't understand how she could say this because there is no diplomacy involved in this movement, there is no diplomatic involvement. This is a spontaneous movement of students, and then people join in. ,” he added.
Bangladesh's parliament was dissolved earlier this week after army chief Gen. Wak-uz-Zaman resigned shortly after Hasina fled the country. Thousands of members of the minority Hindu community held mass protest rallies in Bangladesh's capital and northeastern port city of Chittagong on Saturday, demanding protection amid nationwide vandalism that has seen temples, homes and businesses attacked.
In an interview with CNN-News18, the BNP general secretary reiterated the BNP's solidarity with the Hindu community in the wake of targeted attacks on minorities and highlighted the party's cordial relations with India. Alamgir also emphasized that the interim government's decision on Hasina's return depends on India's position, but the BNP remains firm in demanding that she be tried for alleged misconduct.
Muhammad Yunus took over the interim government on Thursday following student demands and said in his first national address that restoring law and order in the country would be his top priority. The advisory committee, which consists of 17 members, including four members who lean towards the BNP and three members affiliated with the Jamaat-e-Islami, was sworn in that day.
Asked about the possibility of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP joining hands to contest the upcoming elections, Alamgir clarified that BNP has no ties with Jamaat-e-Islami and considers it only as an alliance partner. He said the BNP was committed to ensuring that all political parties, including Hasina-led Awami League, participate in the upcoming elections.
