BNP Rejects US Military Base Claims, Labels Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's Remarks As 'Irresponsible'

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has strongly rejected reports about US plans to acquire a military base in the country, labeling the claims as “irresponsible remarks.

The ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently taking refuge in India, has accused foreign powers like the US of playing a hand in her ouster. In a message conveyed to her Awami League supporters, Hasina warned the new interim government not to be “used” by such foreign powers. In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, Alamgir dismissed allegations of US bid to establish an airbase, saying that such talks do not exist.

“This is very unfortunate that a person who was a prime minister of an independent country for the last 15 years could make such irresponsible remarks. Unfortunately, I believe that whenever she is in a problem, she always blames others. The main reason for quitting the country, that she has been ousted from her job is misrule and her failure to rule the country properly,” Alamgir told CNN-News18.

When probed about Hasina’s remarks on the alleged link between US regime change plans and BNP, Alamgir said this is “all bullshit.” “The utterances are unreasonable and so irresponsible. I don’t understand how she could say that, because in this movement there was no involvement of foreign diplomacy; it was a spontaneous movement by the students and then the people joined in,” he added.

The Bangladesh Parliament was dissolved earlier this week after army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced Hasina’s resignation shortly after she fled the country. Thousands of minority Hindu community members staged massive protest rallies in Bangladesh’s capital and the north-eastern port city of Chattagram on Saturday, demanding protection amid nationwide vandalism that saw attacks on temples and their households and businesses.

While speaking with CNN-News18, the BNP Secretary General reaffirmed the BNP’s solidarity with the Hindu community in the wake of targeted attacks against minorities and highlighted the party’s amicable ties with India. Alamgir also underlined that the interim government’s decision regarding Hasina’s return is contingent on India’s stance, yet the BNP remains firm in its demand for her trial over alleged wrongdoings.

On Thursday, Muhammad Yunus assumed charge of the interim government in line with the demand of the students and in his first address to the nation said restoring law and order in the country would be his priority. The 17-member advisory council, which includes four members who lean towards the BNP and three affiliated with the Jamaat-e-Islami, took oath the same day.

When asked about the possibility of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP joining hands for the upcoming election, Alamgir clarified that the BNP has no connections with Jamaat-e-Islami, referring to it solely as an alliance partner. He expressed the BNP’s commitment to ensuring that all political parties, including Hasina’s Awami League, participate in the upcoming elections.