Bangladesh-Pakistan

Collected (Left to right) Obaidul Quader, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and Abdul Kader Siddique

BNP wants to introduce Pakistan-style politics in Bangladesh

Citing that there were only 22 multimillionaires back then compared to 192,000 right now, senior BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had commented that the gulf between the rich and the poor had increased and the low-income people were suffering immensely, adding that the people of this country were better off under Pakistan’s military regime, both financially and in terms of quality of life. Fakhrul Islam’s comments have drawn widespread criticism, especially on social media. While the BNP leader’s remark has proved that they want to deny the liberation war and launch a politics imbued with Pakistani ideology, the shock expressed by Bangabir was especially scornful.

Bangabir Kader Siddique declared that he has shed blood for the liberation of this land, and that if Fakhrul Islam feels this way, he has no right to live in Bangladesh. He condemned the BNP lakers for enjoying the freedoms of a liberal society in Bangladesh and yet singing praises for Pakistan. He said that the political and economic turmoil of Pakistan was visible to the entire world, and yet BNP are biassed towards Pakistan. In his usual imposing manner, he declared that as long as he is alive such seditionists will never succeed in turning Bangladesh into a Pakistan.

Siddique recounted the anti-liberation role of Jamaat, Muslim League and Nizam-i-Islam. He also declared he will never be part of any initiative that has space for Jamaat-e-Islami.He reminded crowds at a election rally that Jamaat leaders collaborated with the Pakistan army not only to advance their ideals of Pakistan as an Islamic state, but also to wreak vengeance on people they were at enmity with.

Siddique is no ordinary Bangladeshi politician. He is one of the few remaining who actively fought for the independence of Bangladesh during the Liberation war of 1971. The "Kaderia Bahini" (Kader's Army) he formed was one of the most valiant 17,000-strong irregular guerrilla forces, and fought in the Tangail region against the Pakistan Army. At the end of the war, Siddique's forces entered Dhaka along with the Indian forces, signalling the end of the war. He was awarded Bir Uttom by the Government of Bangladesh. Since 1999, he has been serving as the leader of his newly formed party, the Krishak Sramik Janata League.Known for being a staunch supporter of Bongobondhu, he often states that Awami League is such a party that it follows anyone, “If General Niazi had been alive, if he had been brought to Awami League, they would have been loyal to him too.”

Even Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has expressed shock at the statements made by Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Quader said that no person or organisation that believes in independence, sovereignty, democracy, progress and patriotism, can make comments against the spirit of the Liberation War. Recently, Kader Siddique met Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence. 

At a meeting of the Jatiya Party in the capital, Kader Siddique, who is also the president of the Krishak Sramik Janata League, said: “I am like a brother of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and I can sacrifice my life for my sister Hasina.” Also present were Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the Awami League, and other important figures from the Awami League-led 14-party alliance. 

In the past he has demanded state recognition for people who forged a “resistance movement” after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. After the assassination of Bangabondu, a number of groups of freedom fighters and army personnel waged a movement protesting it. Of those, the toughest resistance was led by Kader.