Attack on Hadi is not an isolated incident

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, the probable independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency and spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, the day after the schedule for the 13th National Parliament Election was announced, is not an isolated incident, reports BSS.

After a meeting with the Chief Adviser of the interim government, he said, "A potentially fatal attack was launched on a prospective national parliamentary candidate the very day after the election schedule was announced. The nature of the attack suggests it was a professional and planned assault. This is, in fact, an attack on Bangladesh itself."

Salahuddin also mentioned that, in this context, importance was given during the discussion with the Chief Adviser to keeping the anti-fascist national unity strong and intact.

He said, "There will be various political debates surrounding the upcoming election, but the debate will not be taken to a level that destroys national unity. There will be no compromise on keeping the anti-fascist national unity intact, upholding the spirit, expectations, and public aspirations of the July Uprising."

The BNP leader asserted that those who do not want an election in Bangladesh at this time and want to obstruct the democratic transition are involved in these attacks. They are present both inside and outside the country. "However, such attacks will not be able to impede Bangladesh's democratic transition," he added.

He further added that all democratic political parties are working unitedly to make the upcoming National Parliament Election meaningful, credible, and neutral, ensuring a globally recognized election is held. He noted that the political culture has also changed in accordance with public expectations and the aspirations of the mass uprising.

Salahuddin Ahmed said that Inqilab Mancha has called for a National Resistance Rally today and tomorrow to protest the attack on Osman Hadi, and BNP has gladly welcomed this call.

Regarding the security of political leaders, he said, "The government has been urged to ensure that all political leaders can remain safe. However, the core issue is maintaining unity among political parties so that the anti-fascist national unity remains strong and terrorism can be confronted."

He recalled that even after the deadly attack on a prospective BNP candidate in the Chittagong-8 constituency on November 5, no proper investigation or strict action was taken. He added that such incidents could have been prevented if a thorough investigation had been conducted and the perpetrators brought to justice.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs has been urged to be more active regarding acts of terrorism, and the Chief Adviser has been requested to take the necessary measures. At the same time, there is a commitment to issue a joint statement and work unitedly," he said.