In the heart of political discourse, where the crossroads of conviction and controversy converge, the General Secretary of Awami League and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Obaidul Quader, recently wielded his words with unyielding force. Amidst the rhythmic hum of a road meeting organized by Kabirhat Upazila AL, Quader cast a discerning light on the canvas of Bangladesh’s political landscape, painting the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as a “poisonous blight.” His words echoed with a call for collective action, urging the removal of this perceived menace that he asserted threatens the very fabric of freedom and democracy.
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As the political symphony played out, Quader’s rhetoric soared, emphasizing the imminent battle on January 7, a date circled on the calendar as a pivotal moment in the struggle against the BNP. In this charged atmosphere, he championed the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, positioning her as the guardian of Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty, and developmental aspirations.
Is BNP Losing Public Support?
When the flame ignites the wick of a candle, it inexorably consumes itself until extinguished. Similarly, the people of Bangladesh, known for their aversion to extremism, are poised to resist the escalating terrorist activities orchestrated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The recent actions of the BNP, as a political entity, have proven counterproductive in addressing the myriad challenges it faces in its political trajectory, largely self-inflicted. The decline of the BNP as a political force trace back to the ascent of Tarique Rahman, a fugitive and convicted mastermind of a foiled assassination attempt on Sheikh Hasina, as the paramount decision-maker, sidelining seasoned party leaders.
Since October 28, the BNP has sown seeds of insecurity in the minds of the Bangladeshi populace, eroding public support for the party. At least 15 lives were lost, and many others were injured during the violent campaign initiated when the party’s attempt at a mass movement faltered. Rather than rallying public sentiment, the BNP opted to spread a metaphorical ring of fire across the nation, adversely affecting the masses.
In the aftermath of October 28, an alarming tally of approximately 387 vehicles has been set ablaze, including trains accompanied by the deliberate destruction of vital infrastructures. The BNP’s insatiable appetite for chaos appears unquenchable, intensifying as the election draws near.
Beyond the arson, the indiscriminate imposition of blockades and hartals by the BNP has inflicted considerable hardship on the general populace. Compounding these severe challenges is the virtual leadership of Tarique Rahman, guiding the BNP’s cohorts toward unrest in Bangladesh.
BNP’s Recurrent Train Sabotage
Amid a series of strikes and blockades organized by the BNP and like-minded parties, Bangladesh experienced five significant incidents of rail sabotage. These events resulted in the loss of five lives and inflicted injuries on numerous individuals, including railway workers. The damage included the gutting of seven railway coaches by fire, along with the destruction of eight additional coaches and an engine.
The first incident occurred on November 16 when the Panchagarh Express, stationed at Gharinda railway station in Tangail, fell victim to an arson attack, resulting in the destructive blaze of three compartments.
Subsequently, in the early hours of November 19, two compartments of the Jamuna Express at Jamalpur’s Sarishabari railway station were set ablaze, marking the second train incineration during the BNP’s blockade and hartal program.
On November 23, an arson incident transpired aboard the Upaban Express, an intercity train at Sylhet Railway Station, with the fire originating in the AC chair compartment around 9:30 pm, as confirmed by Sylhet railway station manager, Md Nurul Islam.
A distressing event unfolded on November 27 at Ishwardi Junction in Pabna, where an unidentified group set fire to a stationed train around 8:30 pm. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and two fire service units swiftly extinguished the flames within thirty minutes.
Moving forward to December 13, an intentional act of removing a 20-foot stretch of rail track led to the derailment of the Dhaka-bound Mohanganj Express, resulting in one reported death. Subsequently, on December 18, the same train faced another tragic incident as arsonists set three coaches ablaze near Dhaka’s Tejgaon Railway Station, resulting in at least four casualties, including a woman and her 3-year-old son.
On the other hand, The Rupsha Express train, from Chilahati to Khulna, narrowly escaped the accident when the rail sleepers were removed near Birampur, Dinajpur on December 19.
Confronted with a waning reservoir of public cooperation, the BNP finds itself increasingly agitated, culminating in the declaration of a non-cooperation movement until the scheduled election on January 7.
The nation watches with a mix of concern and anticipation as the BNP navigates these tumultuous waters, its actions continuing to shape the intricate narrative of Bangladesh’s political landscape.
BNP and the issues with their political background
In 2006, amidst political turmoil and accusations of electoral fraud, Khaleda Zia’s government concluded its term, leading to the establishment of a caretaker government tasked with organizing new elections.
In the year 2008, the victory of the Awami League, headed by Sheikh Hasina, in the parliamentary elections, prompted the BNP to assume the role of the opposition.
In 2014, the BNP opted to boycott the elections, citing concerns about their fairness. Despite the boycott, the Awami League secured a majority, allowing Sheikh Hasina to continue as the Prime Minister.
From 2013-2014, BNP propagated more than 93 days of blockade-hartals-based campaign of violence.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a speech delivered in the national parliament said that 52 days of hartals in 2015 have caused a loss of over Tk1.2 trillion to the country. She also informed that 1,173 vehicles were torched and vandalized by the blockade supporters, who also set fire to six launches and carried out subversive acts on trains 25 times in 2015.
Moving to 2018, the BNP participated in the elections but faced a lackluster performance, resulting in the retention of power by the Awami League. By 2021, the BNP grappled with internal divisions and legal challenges involving its leadership, contributing to ongoing political tensions in Bangladesh.
BNP has a long history of supporting militant and terrorist activities. Under the leadership and nurturing of Tarique Rahaman, the sponsorship of militancy and terrorism became more pronounced, significantly damaging its political reputation.
Earlier BNP-Jamaat’s history includes backing militancy and turning Bangladesh into a hub for terrorism during their last power stint. Shockingly, former BNP Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury ensured the safety of Mufti Abdul Hannan, the key to the Huji militant group, even allowing him free movement in Dhaka.
As the upcoming election approaches, the BNP has noticeably refrained from active participation. Their unwillingness to engage in electoral processes has resulted in their disqualification by the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh, citing non-cooperation as the primary reason. Because of these continuous acts of disrespect to the countrymen of Bangladesh, the people of the country have stopped supporting the BNP for their interest and safety.
