Jamaat, NCP indirectly supporting AL’s arson attacks: Rashed Khan

Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Rashed Khan today (13 November) accused Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) of indirectly supporting arson attacks allegedly carried out by Awami League activists, saying their actions were contributing to political instability in the country.

“Awami League’s arsonists are setting fires, while Jamaat and NCP’s mob activists are adding fuel to the situation,” he said while addressing a special meeting of the Dhaka-based Jhenaidah Journalists’ Forum at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

Rashed alleged that although Awami League activists carried out coordinated arson attacks across the country on 10 November, Jamaat and NCP leaders did not take to the streets against the incidents.

“If you are so committed to fighting the Awami League, why don’t you come out onto the streets?” he questioned.

He also criticised Jamaat and NCP leaders for their what he described as confrontational behaviour in parliament, accusing them of obstructing the government’s efforts to run the country.

Rashed said both the ruling BNP and the opposition parties had benefited from the July Uprising and, therefore, shared responsibility for rebuilding the country.

He argued that the opposition should cooperate in national reconstruction instead of engaging in political confrontation and avoiding its responsibilities.

“We wanted a new Bangladesh where the government would work to rebuild the state and the opposition would extend its cooperation in that effort,” he said.

Rashed also accused Jamaat and NCP leaders of contributing to mob violence, extortion and political instability during the 18-month tenure of the interim government.

He further alleged that the two parties were unwilling to accept the BNP-led government’s electoral victory because they had failed to secure power through the election.