Pabna, June 21 (V7N) — Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Senior Joint Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has accused Indian policymakers of attempting to influence Bangladesh’s internal politics by supporting the ruling Awami League. He suggested that the effort to prevent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s fall from power has intensified following a meeting in London between BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Speaking to reporters in Chatmohar, Pabna, Rizvi said, “India is disturbed by the idea of Sheikh Hasina losing power. Since the London meeting, they have intensified conspiracies targeting Tarique Rahman.” Rizvi made these remarks while visiting senior BNP leader Abu Taher Pramanik, also known as Taher Thakur, who has been suffering from illness and financial hardship. On behalf of Tarique Rahman and under the initiative of the party's support group Amra BNP Poribar (We Are BNP Family), Rizvi handed over financial aid for Thakur’s treatment.

Rizvi paid tribute to the veteran leader, noting that even while running a household by melting iron, Taher Thakur made great sacrifices for the party. He urged the local BNP leadership to maintain constant contact with him and ensure his well-being, saying, “This man worked his entire life for BNP. The district BNP must not forget him.”

Commenting on the upcoming general election, Rizvi said that the BNP expects it to be held in a reasonable timeframe and in a free, fair, and inclusive manner. “We have demanded elections be held at a logical time. This election will reflect the people's demand and the expectations of other political parties. This time, the people's voices will be heard,” he said.

While expressing cautious optimism, he also warned that threats to democracy remain. “We are walking the path of democracy now, but the conspiracies haven’t ended. Over the past 16 years, many from the grassroots to the national level have disappeared. Our leaders and activists are still facing cases and arrests. The days of fascism were horrifying.”

Accompanying Rizvi during the visit were BNP central leader Saif Ali Khan, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology; Engineer Mostafa-i-Zaman Selim, Adviser of Amra BNP Poribar; Agriculturist Moksedul Momin Mithun, Member Secretary; Advocate Khandaker Maksudur Rahman Masud, Pabna BNP Member Secretary; and Joint Convener Anisul Haque Babu, among others.

Abu Taher Pramanik, a veteran leader with a long political career, previously served as president of the Chatmohar Upazila unit of BNP's labor front. His health condition and difficult financial situation were recently highlighted in the media, drawing the attention of Tarique Rahman, who then instructed party officials to provide immediate support and stay updated on his condition.

This visit, combining personal outreach and political commentary, comes amid BNP’s broader efforts to reconnect with its grassroots and mobilize support ahead of the next national election.

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