TDS Desk:

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has asked the government where is the opportunity to say “no” if citizens disagree with any one of the four questions in the proposed referendum.

He made the remark after attending a programme where financial assistance was provided to ailing radio artist Afroza Nizami on behalf of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in Shyamoli on Saturday (15 November).

“Even if something is put together through forced or superficial compromise, it will not be sustainable,” Rizvi said, adding the referendum questionnaire should be framed in a way that ordinary people can easily understand.

Rizvi added that many people across the country are facing hardship, yet there is little visible state effort to ease their situation.

“State responsibility in service-oriented sectors has not been widely evident since independence. Instead of pushing for issues such as the referendum and proportional representation, political parties and the state should focus on ensuring citizens’ rights,” he added.

Mentioning that the BNP supports the July Charter, Rizvi said it was not properly presented to the nation and should have been explained more clearly.

“Awami League is attempting to instigate unrest with large sums of money coming from India,” he said, claiming they want to create a deteriorating situation in the country.

He also added that the matter of Sheikh Hasina’s trial is for the court to decide.

Rizvi also claimed that the country is being steered towards a murky situation and accused a “deposed dictator” of plotting conspiracies from a neighbouring country.

He alleged that acts of violence, including the burning of vehicles in Dhaka-Gazipur and other areas, are part of this pattern.

“This culture is the Awami culture. If the government had broken the poisonous fangs of fascism from the beginning, this would not be happening now,” he added.

Leaders, including Atikur Rahman Rumen, convener of Amra BNP Poribar, were present at the event today.