‘Attack on Hadi part of plot to stop polls’: Parties vow united resistance

Bangla Press Desk:   Leaders of several political parties on Saturday described the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi – spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and a prospective independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency – as part of a conspiracy to derail the July uprising, reaffirming that political forces remain united to resist any attempt to sabotage it.
The assurance came at a meeting held at the State Guesthouse Jamuna, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. 
Leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) attended the meeting, according to a press release.
Those present included BNP Standing Committee members Salahuddin Ahmed and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed; Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer; NCP Convener Nahid Islam and its southern chief organiser Hasnat Abdullah; Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber; and Law Adviser Asif Nazrul.     
Addressing the meeting, the chief adviser said the attack on Osman Hadi was “pre-planned and part of a deep conspiracy”, warning that “a powerful force is working behind it”.
“The objective of the conspirators is to prevent the election from taking place. This attack is highly symbolic. They want to display their strength and derail all election preparations. We must confront this collectively,” he said.
Citing preliminary information, he added, “It appears the conspirators have expanded their network. They have deployed trained shooters on the ground.”
In response to the attack, political parties decided to hold an all-party protest rally under the initiative of Inqilab Moncho within the next couple of days.
BNP, Jamaat and NCP leaders stressed the need to enhance inter-party communication to prevent any rift in the anti-fascist political unity, pledging a firm and united stance. 
They also emphasised the importance of a strict drive to recover illegal weapons ahead of the election.
BNP’s Salahuddin Ahmed said unity was essential in the current situation. 
“Under no circumstances should we blame one another,” he said, adding, “We must raise our voices together against the conspiracy. We will not tolerate any evil force.”
Jamaat’s Golam Porwar said recent mutual blame had allowed opponents to exploit divisions.
“We must remain united as before. Narrow party interests have turned us against one another – this must stop,” he said.
NCP Convener Nahid Islam said efforts had been underway since the July uprising to undermine it. 
“An organised campaign against July is ongoing across media and administrative layers. Those who come to power after the election will also suffer. No one can govern alone,” he warned.
He alleged attempts to “normalise” the Awami League and Jatiya Party, adding, “Narratives are being built to portray the July uprising as a crime. Conspirators are exploiting our disunity.”
Hasnat Abdullah said, “If we cannot remain united ourselves, no security arrangement will help us.”
Calling for restraint, Prof Yunus said, “Not just the government – everyone must stay strong. Political disagreements are natural, but we must move away from a culture of seeing each other as enemies or resorting to attacks. Election-time tensions must remain within limits.”
Law Adviser Asif Nazrul noted that the fallen fascist Awami League party has gained strength after power struggle intensified among (anti-fascist) political parties, urging leaders to remain alert to national interests alongside party concerns.
BNP stages nationwide demos
BNP on Saturday staged demonstrations across the country, including in Dhaka, to protest against the attack on Hadi and to demand the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.
Party leaders and activists brought out protest processions and held rallies in district towns nationwide, denouncing the attack as politically motivated and aimed at destabilising the democratic process.
In the capital, BNP organised a rally in front of its central office at Nayapaltan in the morning. 
Addressing the programme, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on democracy.
“He is like my son. I was mentally shattered after hearing that Hadi was shot. This attack is an attack on democracy. The black hands behind it must be broken,” Abbas said.
He alleged that following the shooting, around 100 to 150 supporters of a “particular political party” took to Facebook to incite unrest. 
“Conspiracy has always been their main weapon. We have seen this in 1971, in 1986 and at many other times. They cannot tolerate a stable state,” he claimed.
Abbas said Hadi was not his electoral rival but a political competitor. “He is a brave fighter on the streets. I hope to see him active again in the election field,” he added.
At the same programme, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the attack was part of a broader plot to malign BNP leaders. 
“This is not an isolated incident. It is a well-planned conspiracy. The real perpetrators must be identified through a fair investigation and brought to justice,” he said.

BP/SP