DHAKA, MAY 25 (V7N) – Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Senior Joint Secretary General of the BNP, today accused certain advisers within the interim government of attempting to inflame public opinion by portraying the BNP’s demand for a national election within a specific timeframe as a "grave sin."

"Why is there so much unnecessary delay over the election? Is it a great sin to call for elections within a clear timeframe? From the remarks of some advisers, it appears they are provoking this notion among different people in various ways," Rizvi told reporters after paying tribute to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at his grave on the Dhaka University campus, marking the poet's 126th birth anniversary.

The BNP leader asserted that his party and other democratic forces had expected the interim government to implement necessary reforms and conduct a free and fair election, which he claimed the previous Sheikh Hasina government had delayed, disenfranchising voters. "All our protests and movements have been aimed at getting out of such a situation, restoring true democracy and ensuring a free environment. But now, there are so many ploys surrounding the election," Rizvi stated.

He further alleged that some advisers are exacerbating the ongoing political crisis and overstepping their mandate by commenting on election matters. "If the advisers are pursuing any hidden agenda outside their responsibilities, the people will not accept it," he warned.

Rizvi specifically criticized Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, arguing that her primary role is environmental protection and improvement, yet she is speaking about the election. He questioned her actions in saving the Buriganga and Shitalakhya rivers and addressing toxic air pollution. "Since taking office, we have seen no drive or initiative from her to make the environment pollution-free,” Rizvi claimed.

Justifying his party’s call for the resignation of two student-leader-turned-advisers, Rizvi emphasized the interim government's imperative to remain neutral. He stated that it is not the interim government's responsibility to aid the formation or growth of any particular political party. "Rather, they must perform their duties impartially. In this case, if an adviser calls the SP (of Cumilla) and orders him to arrest people belonging to the BNP and prevent the party from carrying out any activities there, why would there not be demands for his resignation?" Rizvi posed.

He reiterated that the BNP supported the government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus after the "fascist Awami League regime fled." However, he warned, "But if we find anyone within the government playing a partisan role, we will have to protest against them."

Rizvi specifically accused Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, as well as Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, of telephoning the SP of Cumilla’s Muradnagar. The adviser allegedly instructed the SP not to allow BNP leaders and activists to conduct activities in the upazila, which happens to be the adviser’s home constituency.

"So, this is a repeat of the Sheikh Hasina era. Now there is supposed to be a free environment, yet those in charge of running the government continue to play such a controversial, partisan role. Such incidents are occurring in various places," Rizvi concluded.

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