Remove ‘NCP advisers’ for sake of neutrality

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed yesterday urged the interim government to remove two of its advisers, whom he claimed are members of the National Citizen Party, for the sake of neutrality.

Addressing a rally in Khulna, he also criticised the government for what he said was giving the country's ports and corridors to foreign powers.

Salahuddin  said the interim government was formed with high hopes after the ouster of an autocratic rule in a popular uprising.

"But don't assume we want you to remain in power until the Day of Judgment," he told the rally, saying the current government's only mandate is to organise a free, fair, and neutral national election.

Referring to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the BNP leader said, "People now call your administration an 'NCP-backed government.' Your government has two representatives of the NCP … They are not officially members of the NCP, but it is an open secret. If you truly want to uphold neutrality, ask those two to resign. If they refuse, remove them."

The rally, organised by the BNP's affiliated bodies -- Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal -- saw a huge turnout of young leaders and activists from the Khulna and Barishal divisions.

Salahuddin also criticised the appointment of a foreign national as the national security adviser.

"Don't you have the sense to realise the implications of giving a foreign citizen access to our army's security reports?" he questioned.

"He is trying to turn Bangladesh into a battleground in the name of the Rohingya/humanitarian corridor," he added.

Claiming that the issue was not consulted with the people or the political parties, he said that the appointed person had "arrogantly" said, "It doesn't matter".

Salahuddin added, "No foreign national can hold such a post. Either he should resign or be removed from the post immediately. He is trying to create instability in the country. We cannot allow it."

The BNP leader also accused the government of exceeding its mandate by moving to make agreements involving the country's ports and corridors.

"What agreements have you made abroad? What mandate do you have? What gives you the authority to make such deals?"

He said the government's focus should be on carrying out election-oriented reforms to hold the polls by December.

"Your only mandate is to conduct a general election in Bangladesh. Don't undermine our democracy indefinitely in the name of reforms and justice."

He said it would be unfortunate if people had to go against the government in the near future.

He said if Prof Yunus does not weed out the fascist elements from the government and does not listen to the people, his exit might not be a glorified one.

Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna, Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani and Jubo Dal General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayan also spoke at the event, among others.