Sherpur violence is unwanted, BNP wants fair investigation

BNP's election management committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin has said that the violence that took place around the election manifesto announcement ceremony in Sherpur is in no way desirable. 

He said, "The clash and loss of life that occurred over a trivial incident like sitting on a chair is very sad and unwanted."

He made these comments at a press conference at the BNP office in Gulshan on Thursday.

Mahdi Amin alleged that despite the fact that there were seats reserved for all political parties at the election manifesto announcement ceremony, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists occupied all the chairs in advance and refused to vacate the seats reserved for BNP leaders and activists. 

The administration repeatedly requested them, but they did not accept it.

He said, "We expected a festive, peaceful and tolerant election environment after the mass uprising. But the Sherpur incident has shattered that expectation."

Regarding the Sherpur clash, Mahdi Amin said, "The video circulating on social media shows that the Jamaat candidate was repeatedly requested by the police, administration, army and senior leaders of BNP to use an alternative route to avoid the clash. But ignoring all the requests, he decided to go on a confrontational path."

He further said, "We saw that sticks were kept ready in advance. Then the question arises – was this clash planned? Who supported it? Why did the law and order forces fail to bring the situation under control – these questions have naturally arisen in the public mind."

Mentioning that one person was killed and more than 40 BNP leaders and activists were injured in the incident, Mahdi Amin said, "No matter which party the deceased belongs to, loss of life is unacceptable in any way. Many of the injured are undergoing treatment in hospitals in critical condition."

He demanded a quick, fair and acceptable investigation and said, "We strongly urge the interim government to ensure that this incident does not happen again."

Calling for further strengthening the role of law enforcement in the elections, Mahdi Amin said, "All political parties must behave responsibly and provide maximum cooperation to the administration."

Regarding the recent procession in the Dhaka University area and the propaganda involving BNP, he said, "Attempts to gain political benefits by creating baseless statements centered on an isolated incident are in no way acceptable. We want positive politics, not blame politics."

Finally, Mahdi Amin said, "As the largest and most popular political party, BNP's priority is a peaceful, debate-free and acceptable election. If the democratic beauty is maintained, God willing, we will all be able to establish democracy well together."