In the thick of Bangladesh’s election campaign, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has fired back at allegations from Jamaat-e-Islami’s deputy leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. On Saturday, BNP flatly rejected claims of secret deals with India, branding them as baseless political mudslinging aimed at derailing the polls.
BNP’s election steering committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin addressed a press briefing at BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office. He dismissed Taher’s assertions that BNP had struck ‘three agreements’ with India, particularly referencing party acting chairman Tarique Rahman. ‘No evidence has been provided, nor will it ever be,’ Amin declared, emphasizing the lack of substantiation.
Amin accused the rival camp of using media rumors to sow confusion among voters. ‘This is nothing but a smear campaign designed to create controversy during elections,’ he stated. He suggested Taher’s statements either stem from misinformation or deliberate tactics to tarnish BNP’s image.
Highlighting BNP’s ‘Bangladesh-first’ politics, Amin reaffirmed the party’s commitment to national sovereignty. Under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, he said, protecting citizens’ interests and empowerment remains paramount. Amin recalled BNP’s historical stands, including protests over Teesta and Padma river water sharing and opposition to the killing of Bangladeshi cattle trader Felani at the border during Khaleda Zia’s tenure.
‘We rejected foreign policies that compromised our independence,’ Amin added, underscoring BNP’s firm stance on border issues and water rights. To bolster voter engagement, BNP has launched an election hotline and WhatsApp service for guidance, complaints, and feedback.
As Bangladesh gears up for polls amid heightened political rhetoric, BNP’s rebuttal signals intensifying rivalries. The party vows to counter negative propaganda with a focus on national priorities, urging voters to see through the ‘opportunistic politics’ of opponents.