BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that the government is using force to prevent Ishraque Hossain from becoming mayor.
He stated that despite a court ruling in Ishraque’s favor, he is still not being allowed to take the oath of office.
“If Shahadat Hossain can assume the mayoral post in Chattogram following a court decision, why is Ishraque being denied the same right?” Rizvi questioned. “This proves the government is arbitrarily blocking Ishraque from becoming mayor.”
Rizvi made these remarks today (Tuesday) while speaking to journalists in Dhaka’s Khilkhet area, where he visited Rakibul Hasan, an activist of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal who was injured during the July uprising.
He also criticized Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, the current adviser on local government affairs to the interim government, saying, “He is quite young and was suddenly assigned an important state responsibility. That’s why his statements often lack maturity and balance.”
Rizvi further added, “The real perpetrators behind the 2024 mass uprising have yet to be brought to justice, while the interim government seems more focused on non-essential tasks.”
Turning his attention to recent police actions, Rizvi said, “When university teachers went to Jamuna to demand housing, they were disrespected and attacked by police. Even Sheikh Hasina had resorted to similar use of police repression in the past.”
Earlier in the day, Rizvi led a delegation of the group ‘Amra BNP Poribar’ (We are BNP Family) to visit the injured Rakibul Hasan. They conveyed greetings and solidarity on behalf of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and assured support for Rakibul.
Among others present during the visit were the group’s convener Atikur Rahman, advisers Ashraf Uddin, Md. Abul Kashem, Mostafa-e-Zaman, and member secretary Moksedul Momin, along with several other party leaders.
