Political parties unite at chief adviser’s call to foil conspiracy

Political leaders have said they are united to resist all attempts to sabotage the July uprising, describing the attack on Inqilab Manch spokesperson and prospective independent candidate for Dhaka-8 Sharif Osman Haadi as part of a wider conspiracy.

The commitment was expressed at a meeting held at the state guest house Jamuna under the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party took part in the meeting.

Those present included BNP standing committee members Salahuddin Ahmed and Major retired Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, Jamaat secretary general Mia Golam Parwar and assistant secretary general Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, NCP convener Nahid Islam and southern region chief organiser Hasnat Abdullah, Inqilab Manch member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber and law adviser Asif Nazrul.

The chief adviser said the attack on Osman Haadi was pre-planned and part of a deep conspiracy backed by powerful forces. He said the objective of the conspirators was to prevent the election from taking place.

“This attack is highly symbolic. They want to display their strength and derail all election preparations. We must confront this collectively,” he said.

He added that available information suggests the conspirators have expanded their network and deployed trained shooters.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed said unity is essential in the current situation and urged political parties to refrain from blaming one another. “We must raise a united voice against the conspiracy. We will not tolerate any destructive force,” he said, adding that despite political differences, unity must be maintained in the national interest and in the spirit of July.

He also suggested intensifying operations to recover illegal weapons and act against the conspirators.

Jamaat leader Golam Parwar said recent tendencies of mutual blame have given opponents an opportunity. “We must remain united as before. For narrow party interests, we have turned each other into adversaries. Why should we say things that divide the nation?” he said.

NCP chief Nahid Islam said efforts to undermine the July uprising have been ongoing since it took place. He said an organised campaign is being run against July across media and administrative levels.

“Narratives are being created in the media and on social platforms to portray those involved in the uprising as criminals, while attempts are being made to normalise the Awami League and Jatiya Party,” he said, adding that conspirators are exploiting internal disunity.

Hasnat Abdullah said no level of security would be effective if political forces fail to remain united, warning that political interests are creating space for the Awami League.

The chief adviser said everyone must think about what can be done for the future. “Not only the government, but everyone must remain strong. Political debate will exist, but we must move away from a culture of viewing others as enemies or resorting to attacks,” he said.

Asif Nazrul said the Awami League regained strength once infighting among political parties began, urging all parties to remain united and prioritise national interest over party considerations.