Mirza Fakhrul Islam Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary- General Mirza Fakhrul Islam on Wednesday said filing cases indiscriminately against the collaborators of the immediate-past government should be stopped completely.
He called upon the law-enforcing agencies not to file cases that do not have merits.
The BNP secretary general alleged that conspiracy is going on in India to foil the revolution that led to the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina regime.
"We are passing a crucial time. But conspiracy is going on to foil the present stability and the government's plan to hold an election after completing reforms. We must not let the plan to be successful. We must cooperate with the interim government."
"BNP is not in favour of banning any political party. Everyone has the right to do politics. We are not in favour of those who don't believe in the country's independence. Except that, all others have the right to do politics."
He cautioned all to be vigilant against new faces, which started appearing on the forefront of the country's politics.
Mirza Fakhrul said these at a press briefing at the party chairperson's political office in the capital's Gulshan area.
BNP would definitely give 'logical' time to the interim government for holding a free, fair and participatory election.
But he urged the interim government to sit with the political parties for fixing the logical time for holding the election.
"The country's businesspeople believe that there is a need for an elected government at the earliest. If needed, some people may be inducted into the interim government to expedite their tasks," he mentioned.
"BNP as a democratic political party has long been calling for holding a free and fair parliamentary election. BNP will always remain vocal for holding an election," he continued.
"A campaign is going on to demean the contributions of BNP to the country's democratic movement, which is very unjust. Criticism is also going on against BNP's demands for holding a national election."
Mirza Fakhrul also said, "BNP was tortured and oppressed during the last 16 years (of the Awami League regime). Khaleda Zia was in jail for nearly six years. Many became victims of killings and enforced disappearances. False cases were filed against our party leaders and activists."
"During 1/11 there was a conspiracy to depoliticise the country, and there were efforts to abolish the party. Now that fear reappears again, as a planned 1/11-like conspiracy is going on against the party."
People of the country do not want to see the persons, who helped the previous Awami League government and took stand against democracy, he continued.
He called upon all democratic-minded political parties to remain alert, so that none can create divisions among the people.
Mirza Fakhrul noted that BNP has postponed its five-day programmes, marking the party's founding anniversary. All funds allocated for observing the anniversary would now be distributed among the flood-hit people.
"India didn't inform Bangladesh about opening its river dams. Due to that reason the flood situation in the country is deteriorating. The floods have so far taken away 27 lives, and millions are severely affected."
He, however, said on 1st September morning the party's and national flags would be hoisted at BNP's all offices. The party leaders and activists would visit its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman's grave and offer prayers. BNP would also organise a doa mahfil at the party's central office at Naya Paltan in the capital.
Mirza Fakhrul opined that miscreants committed misdeeds in some places and tried to shift the responsibility on BNP.
"We strongly protest it. BNP is never involved with any misdeeds. Our stance in this connection is very strict."
BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan said the interim government should be given logical time.
The main task of the government is to hold a national election first, and for this reason it has to be given a logical timeframe, he added.
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