Osman Gani, Chandina (Cumilla)

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General and valiant freedom fighter Dr. Redwan Ahmed has alleged that the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) is a government-backed political party and that it was the government itself that instigated and sent them to Gopalganj. 

He claimed that the government is deliberately creating such situations so it can later claim that the environment is not yet suitable for holding elections.

He made these remarks on Friday (18 July) while addressing an LDP workers' rally as the chief guest at the Azam High School grounds in Etbarpur of Chandina upazila, his own constituency in Cumilla.

Dr. Redwan stated, "It is not the government's responsibility to provide escort protection to any political party to hold their events. This government is not offering that privilege to any other political party — nor should it. Yet, one party, which hasn’t even received registration from the Election Commission, is being allowed to carry out political activities under tight state security."

The former State Minister further said, "Gopalganj is a small district with only three constituencies. The NCP has held events in different parts of the country without any obstruction. Why, then, were they obstructed in Gopalganj?"

He continued, "The government claims it had no intelligence reports. But when police vehicles are torched, attacks are made on the UNO’s car, and when you go to a district whose people are known to sacrifice their lives for Sheikh Mujib or Sheikh Hasina, and your activists chant slogans like ‘Down with Mujibism,’ ‘We’ll end Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Mujib’ — then how reasonable is it that the government had no idea what might happen?"

Addressing the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr. Redwan Ahmed remarked, "It was politicians who created this country, and it was politicians who fought for its independence. Scholars like you were busy praying, but did not join the Liberation War. It’s politicians who know how to run the country. So instead of playing games, hold elections without delay."

The rally was presided over by Etbarpur Union LDP President Zainal Abedin Member. Among the special guests were Upazila LDP President A.K.M. Shamsul Haque Master, LDP Central Advisor Principal Abul Kashem, and Upazila General Secretary Principal Abu Taher.

The event was conducted by Chandina Municipal Democratic Student Party President Sajjat Hossain. Other speakers included former Upazila Democratic Youth Party Organizing Secretary Mainuddin Sarkar, Union LDP Organizing Secretary Abdul Mannan, LDP leaders Kawsar Ahmed Kakol, Mozammel Haque, and Rasel, among others.