BNP Accuses Defeated Forces of Spreading Misinformation, Highlights Government Achievements at Dengue Awareness Campaign

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka

BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Rizvi Ahmed has accused defeated political forces and a so-called “secretive group” of continuing to spread misinformation and propaganda against the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, drawing striking parallels between their current behaviour and their actions in the past. Speaking at a dengue prevention awareness campaign organised by the Dhaka South City Corporation in the capital’s Shantinagar area on Sunday, Rizvi alleged that these elements were resorting to the same tactics of falsehood and deception that they had employed in earlier periods. He claimed that the Awami League had a long and established history of engaging in misinformation campaigns, and that another covert group had now emerged to join forces with them in their efforts to undermine the BNP. According to the BNP leader, there is credible evidence suggesting a relationship between these two entities, noting that representatives of this secretive group had openly declared their intention to forgive the Awami League for its past transgressions, thereby revealing their alignment and shared objectives.

The BNP acting secretary general elaborated on the historical context of these propaganda efforts, reminding journalists and party activists that previous smear campaigns had sought to portray the BNP as a militant political organisation and to instil fear among religious minority communities by claiming they would not be safe should the party come to power. These false narratives, he asserted, had been comprehensively disproven by the conduct and governance of the current administration. Rizvi emphasised that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, had demonstrated through its vigilance and firm commitment that conspirators and purveyors of falsehood could not succeed in implementing their nefarious plans. He suggested that the resilience and alertness of the government had effectively neutralised the ability of these elements to create instability or mislead the public, and that the continued spread of misinformation was evidence of their desperation and failure to regain relevance through legitimate political means. The BNP leader’s remarks come at a time of heightened political activity and debate in Bangladesh, with the party consolidating its position in government and facing persistent criticism from opposition quarters.

In a demonstration of the party’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s cultural and religious heritage, Rizvi detailed the BNP’s proactive engagement with Durga Puja festivities across the country. He stated that the party had established contact with every Durga Puja mandap and conducted thorough discussions with the concerned organising committees well ahead of the festival period. BNP leaders and activists, he noted, had worked tirelessly on a round-the-clock basis to ensure comprehensive security arrangements during the celebrations, reflecting the party’s dedication to protecting citizens of all faiths and maintaining communal harmony. The BNP leader highlighted the peaceful and safe environment that prevailed during this year’s festivities, noting that a significant number of visitors from neighbouring countries had travelled to Bangladesh specifically to attend the Durga Puja celebrations. These international visitors, he claimed, had praised the safe, secure, and peaceful atmosphere that characterised the religious observances, underscoring Bangladesh’s reputation as a nation where diverse religious communities could practise their faiths freely and without fear. This emphasis on communal harmony and security serves as a direct counterpoint to the historical propaganda that sought to depict the BNP as a threat to religious minorities.

Addressing the party’s governance philosophy and track record, Rizvi asserted that the BNP operated on the fundamental principle of transparency and acted in accordance with this principle in all its affairs. He declared that the BNP was unique in its commitment to implementing the promises it makes to the electorate, contrasting this approach with what he characterised as the empty rhetoric and broken pledges of other political formations. The acting secretary general pointed specifically to the commitments made by the party before the election and affirmed that these promises were being sincerely and systematically implemented since the government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assumed office. This assertion of fulfilled electoral mandates is central to the BNP’s narrative of trustworthy and effective governance, designed to reinforce public confidence in the current administration and distinguish it from its political rivals. Rizvi’s emphasis on transparency and accountability appears aimed at consolidating support for the government and pre-empting criticism regarding its performance, while simultaneously positioning the BNP as a party that respects the democratic will of the people and governs in accordance with their aspirations.

The BNP acting secretary general also drew attention to significant social welfare initiatives being undertaken by the government, specifically referencing the distribution of Family Cards and Farmers’ Cards. According to Rizvi, economists have expressed the view that these initiatives could potentially reduce the country’s poverty rate by an additional five percentage points within the current year, a development that would represent a substantial achievement in Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to combat poverty and improve living standards. He described these initiatives as notable achievements of the government, highlighting them as concrete examples of the BNP’s commitment to improving the welfare of ordinary citizens and fulfilling its social contract with the people. The Family Cards initiative, understood to provide subsidised essential commodities to those in need, and the Farmers’ Cards programme, designed to provide agricultural support and inputs to farming communities, together represent a comprehensive approach to addressing economic vulnerability across both urban and rural populations. By foregrounding these initiatives, the BNP leadership seeks to demonstrate that its governance extends beyond political consolidation to encompass meaningful, tangible improvements in the lives of everyday Bangladeshis, particularly the most marginalised and economically disadvantaged segments of society.

Turning to the immediate context of the event, Rizvi explained that the dengue prevention awareness campaign, involving the distribution of informational leaflets, had resumed after a brief pause of several days. He emphasised that the campaign would continue unabated with the objectives of raising public awareness about dengue prevention, protecting citizens from the disease, and reducing the risk of infection across the capital and beyond. This public health initiative, organised in coordination with the Dhaka South City Corporation, reflects the government’s proactive approach to addressing seasonal health challenges, particularly the threat posed by dengue fever which has been a recurring concern in Bangladesh during monsoon and post-monsoon periods. The BNP leader’s presence at the leaflet distribution further underscores the party’s engagement with grassroots concerns and its efforts to be seen as responsive to the immediate needs of the population. The event was attended by several senior BNP figures, including Joint Secretary General Advocate Abdus Salam Azad, Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam, Organising Secretary Kazi Sayedul Alam Babul, and Secretary for Volunteer Affairs Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, who participated in the campaign activities alongside their acting secretary general. Their collective presence signals the organisational weight the party is placing on such public engagement initiatives, as the BNP continues to balance its national political agenda with day-to-day governance responsibilities and community outreach programmes designed to maintain its connection with the electorate.