Rizvi terms possession of advisers’ call records by individuals as illegal, blackmailing

Bangla Press Desk:  BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has termed the possession of advisers’ call records by any political individual as illegal and an act of blackmailing.

Speaking in the capital’s Kamrangirchar on Thursday, Rizvi said, “A leader of an Islamic party has claimed that they possess call records of government advisers and may release them. This raises a serious question in the public mind — how did a political individual gain access to such confidential call records? It is both unlawful and tantamount to blackmailing.”

He made the remarks while visiting the family of an ailing child, Hunaifa, to deliver financial assistance on behalf of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

Rizvi said, “We are going through a complex situation. After the fall of the fascist regime, our pledge was to build a humane Bangladesh — where no helpless person would suffer without treatment.”

Referring to ongoing political developments, the BNP leader said, “We were nearing a final stage regarding the July Charter. Yet, unnecessary controversies are being created over unresolved issues, notes of dissent, and the proposed referendum. When all political parties are trying to reach a consensus through the July Charter, such minor disputes are only delaying progress toward democracy, rule of law, and freedom of expression.”

He cautioned that any obstacle to democratic progress would ultimately benefit remnants of the fascist regime.

Rizvi also expressed hope that all political parties will unite during the July Charter signing ceremony scheduled for Friday (17 October).

Among others present were Atiqur Rahman Ruman, convener of Amra BNP Poribar, Rasheduzzaman Millat, BNP adviser and treasurer, Ashraful Uddin Bakul, and Touhidur Rahman Auwal, vice-president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.

BP/SP