BNP has dismissed the growing calls for a ban on the Awami League (AL) as a calculated attempt to delay the national election, warning that such a move could incite political unrest and undermine stability.
Party leaders argue that the ongoing debate, fuelled by remarks from National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah and others, is designed to create tensions between the military and the public.
“These are attempts to engineer a political crisis,” they asserted, accusing the NCP of pressuring the interim government through manufactured controversies.
Hasnat Abdullah recently alleged that a conspiracy was underway to reintegrate the AL into politics at India’s behest, revealing that a proposal to accommodate a "refined Awami League" had been discussed at a cantonment meeting.
His remarks have since sparked a political maelstrom.
While the BNP advocates holding AL leaders accountable for past misrule and misconduct, it opposes an outright ban on the party.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed emphasised that such decisions should be left to the people rather than dictated by government directives.
“We cannot support any measure that threatens national stability and unity. Politics should remain in the hands of politicians and must serve the nation’s interests,” he said.
Salahuddin also stressed that the AL should stand trial for alleged genocide and crimes against humanity under Article 47 of the Constitution, which permits amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act.
“The courts should determine whether the Awami League can continue its political activities,” he stated.
At the same time, he criticised the interim government for initially considering legal amendments to prosecute the AL as a party, only to later abandon the idea in favour of police crackdowns on its activities.
BNP leaders contend that the people of Bangladesh rejected AL’s “fascist politics” in the July uprising.
However, they noted that the party has neither expressed remorse nor sought forgiveness for its alleged transgressions.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir described the push to ban the AL as an attempt to create anarchy and derail the electoral process.
The BNP has also warned that involving the military in political matters could destabilise the country ahead of the December election.
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, while not directly addressing the issue, urged the interim government to avoid actions that might enable fugitive allies of the previous regime to reclaim influence.
Virtually addressing an Iftar event on Friday, he cautioned against prioritising local elections over the national polls, warning that this could pave the way for the return of those who looted state resources.
Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi questioned why the AL should be banned outright.
“If someone leads the Awami League without being involved in corruption, student killings, or money laundering, then why can’t the party participate in politics?” he asked.
“Justice must be ensured, and if the people accept them back into politics, we have nothing to say.”
The NCP’s demands and allegations against the military surfaced after Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus clarified that the interim government has no plans to ban the AL.
However, he reiterated that individuals accused of crimes, including murder and crimes against humanity, would face prosecution in Bangladeshi courts.
