H

asnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the southern region, claimed that the politics of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is currently running on funds provided by the Awami League. "We have managed to ban the activities of the Awami League, but their financial network remains beyond our reach," he said.

He made these remarks on Friday evening as the chief guest at the July Rally in Comilla, held in honor of injured, martyred, and brave student activists of the anti-discrimination movement.

Hasnat Abdullah stated, “Just as the politics of many upazilas in Comilla run on Awami League money, so does BNP’s politics. To the BNP leaders here, don’t consider us your enemies — I’m saying this for your own good. In many upazilas of Comilla, the politics of all parties have now been sold out to Awami League's financial power.”

Addressing legal advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul, he said, “When those involved in murder go to court and are granted bail, please reveal who is influencing those decisions. You keep saying you're being portrayed as a villain. If someone is preventing you from doing your work, putting pressure on you, or obstructing your efforts, present that to the nation.”

The NCP leader added that those involved in killings are now out on bail and are roaming around in front of the homes of the martyrs. Families of the martyrs have made such allegations. “This is our failure, but also Dr. Asif Nazrul’s failure. We want to know from you why the second tribunal, promised to be formed in January, has not been established yet.”

Hasnat emphasized, “If the interim government believes that there are reforms more important than trying murderers and holding the Awami League accountable, then they are mistaken. The prosecution of murderers must be the interim government's primary reform.”

He further stated, “We want both reform and elections. Our election will come through this reform process.”

Hasnat Abdullah also demanded clarity from the interim government regarding its stance on the Awami League’s alliance, the 14-party coalition. “The government must clarify its thoughts on the 14-party alliance. We want to cooperate with the interim government, but we are disappointed. We still haven’t seen justice for many incidents. The injured haven’t been rehabilitated or employed, and there is no progress in trials. Until we take to the streets, there seems to be no action.”

The July Rally, organized by the Comilla District and City Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, included participation from central and local leaders of various anti-fascist political parties including the NCP, BNP, Khelafat-e-Majlish, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and AB Party.

Special guests at the rally included Saifur Rahman Sagar, editor of Face the People, Ashiqur Rahman Wasim, member secretary of BNP Comilla South District, Dr. Shah Md. Selim, chief coordinator of the Conscious Political Forum Comilla, Rifat Rashid, central joint member secretary of the NCP, Navid Nawroz Shah, central joint chief coordinator of the NCP, Zainal Abedin Shishir, GM Golam Samdani, president of AB Party Comilla Metropolitan, Sakib Hossain, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Comilla District, Abu Raihan, metropolitan convener, and Muhammad Rashedul Hasan, member secretary. The rally was moderated by Comilla Metropolitan Chief Organizer Araf Bhuiyan.