Dhaka, Apr 26 (V7N) – Rifat Rashid, former president of an anti-discrimination student platform and a recent member of the National Citizens Party, has claimed that individuals linked to the government of Sheikh Hasina offered large sums of money to protest leaders in an attempt to halt a major movement in July.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday afternoon in front of Madhur Canteen at the University of Dhaka, Rashid alleged that each key figure of the movement was offered Tk 500 crore through a Member of Parliament. According to him, the offer was made while several senior leaders of the movement were being held at a detective branch office.

Rashid also denied allegations that he misappropriated government funds allocated for campaigning in favor of a “Yes” vote in a referendum. He described the accusations as false, baseless, and politically motivated.

He stated that all campaign funds were audited through a firm authorized by Bangladesh Bank, and that the audit report was formally accepted by the central bank. He added that legal action would be taken against those spreading misinformation.

Also addressing the press conference, former chief coordinator Hasib Al Islam said that full financial records are available and transparent. He emphasized that all expenditures were audited and submitted to the central bank, questioning why authorities would remain silent if any irregularities had occurred.

Both leaders maintained that the allegations lack evidence and accused certain groups of deliberately spreading false claims to damage their reputation, stating that the briefing was held to clarify the issue publicly.

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