Dhaka, July 14 (V7N) – BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has strongly condemned the recent smear campaign against party leader Tarique Rahman, calling it a "planned character assassination" intended to humiliate the BNP and undermine democratic discourse.

Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Monday morning, Fakhrul said, “There is no room for mercy for criminals. But orchestrating a campaign of defamation against a political leader damages the journey of democracy.” He accused a group of conspirators of using young children to propagate offensive slogans, describing it as part of a broader "ugly conspiracy".

Fakhrul also expressed outrage over the government’s silence, saying, “The law enforcement agencies have yet to arrest the killers of Sohag in Mitford. Instead of ensuring justice, some groups are now audaciously trying to tarnish the image of our top leadership.”

“Digital Campaign Was Pre-Planned”

Referring to the July 9 Mitford murder, Fakhrul alleged that a coordinated online campaign followed the incident, with photo cards and propaganda materials being released immediately after Friday prayers on July 11. “This points to a premeditated move,” he said, “with fake content prepared ahead of time to weaponize the incident politically.”

He questioned the unequal public and media response to recent killings in Muradnagar, Comilla, the murder of a mosque imam, and the killing of a Jubo Dal leader in Khulna. Fakhrul suggested this disparity indicates selective outrage and political manipulation.

BNP to Launch Own Investigation

Fakhrul announced that the BNP will form an independent investigation and fact-finding committee to uncover the “real motives” behind Sohag’s murder. “We want the truth. If this is being used to create an anti-BNP narrative or sabotage the electoral environment, it must be exposed,” he stated.

He concluded by vowing to resist any attempts by what he termed the “fallen dictator and conspirators” to obstruct free and fair elections, reiterating BNP’s commitment to the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.

END/RH/AJ