The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has firmly dismissed allegations made by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, describing them as politically motivated propaganda designed to create confusion ahead of the national election.
The response came on Saturday during a press briefing at the BNP’s Gulshan office, where Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of the party’s Election Steering Committee, addressed questions from journalists. He was reacting to recent remarks by Taher, who suggested—without presenting evidence—that the BNP leadership had entered into three agreements with India.
In a clear rebuttal, Mahdi Amin said that such claims lack any factual basis and amount to deliberate misinformation. “A senior leader of another political party has publicly alleged agreements with India, yet he has failed to produce a single piece of evidence,” he said. “Nor will he be able to do so, because the so-called information he refers to has no grounding in reality or truth. This appears to be nothing more than a political tactic aimed at manufacturing controversy.”
Mahdi Amin further noted that if Taher’s comments were based on misinformation provided by others, then the remarks reflect either political manipulation or a lack of proper understanding. Either way, he stressed, the allegations cannot be accepted as credible.
Reiterating BNP’s ideological position, Mahdi Amin emphasised that the party’s politics are inherently Bangladesh-centric. “The BNP’s political philosophy, under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, prioritises national interest, sovereignty, and the empowerment of the people above all else,” he said. “Any suggestion that BNP would compromise these principles through secret agreements is entirely false.”
He added that BNP’s vision of democratic change is rooted in positive and constructive politics, not in disinformation campaigns or confrontational political manoeuvres.
Highlighting the party’s historical stance against external dominance, Mahdi Amin recalled BNP-led movements demanding fair water-sharing of transboundary rivers such as the Teesta and the Padma. He also pointed to BNP’s swift protests following the killing of Felani at the border, noting that the party was among the first to take to the streets in condemnation.
According to him, the foreign policy legacy of BNP—from the leadership of the late President Ziaur Rahman to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia—has consistently rejected subservience and defended national sovereignty against all forms of dominance.
Beyond responding to political allegations, Mahdi Amin also outlined BNP’s current election-related initiatives. He announced the operation of an election hotline and a WhatsApp hotline to strengthen direct communication with citizens, provide information on electoral laws, and receive voter complaints and suggestions.
The key initiatives are summarised below:
| Initiative | Purpose | Target Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Election Hotline (16543) | Receive voter complaints and queries | Transparent election process |
| WhatsApp Hotline | Direct citizen engagement | Increased public participation |
| Family Card | Women and family welfare | Social security expansion |
| Farmer Card | Agricultural support | Farmer empowerment |
Mahdi Amin also warned against fraudulent groups allegedly collecting money in the name of distributing “Family Cards” and “Farmer Cards”. He clarified that these cards are part of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s long-term policy vision for women’s empowerment and agricultural development and would be distributed free of charge through state mechanisms if BNP assumes office.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any such fraudulent activity to both the party and law enforcement agencies.
Concluding the briefing, Mahdi Amin reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to a transparent, inclusive, and citizen-friendly electoral environment, calling for an end to political propaganda and a return to fact-based democratic discourse.