21 August Attack Was Political Drama Staged by AL: Fakhrul

The current ruling Awami League, according to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, planned the August 21 grenade attack.

During a press conference conducted on Monday (August 21) at the BNP headquarters in Nayapaltan, Dhaka, Fakhrul questioned the government's tactics and suggested "ulterior motives." Additionally, he ordered a thorough and accurate investigation of the incident.

The events of August 21 were planned and overseen by the Awami League; they did not happen by accident. The location of their scheduled meeting was altered out of political retaliation against us, and as a result, BNP officials, including Tarique Rahman, have been falsely implicated, according to Mirza Fakhrul.

The BNP secretary general pointed out that Tarique Rahman's name had not been mentioned anywhere in the official investigation of the 21 August incident. 

He further revealed that even the investigation officer, Abul Kahar Akand, who later sought nomination from the Awami League, did not mention Tarique Rahman's name in his report. 

While casting doubts on the impartiality of the probe, he alleged that Mufti Hannan was forced to make statements during his 45-day detention.

"Mufti Hannan was executed in another case so that he could not go to court and say anything," Fakkhrul said, insisting that key BNP leaders including Tarique Rahman, Abdus Salam Pintu, and Lutfuzzaman Babar, were not involved in the attack.

In response to a question regarding the Anandabazar report, BNP Secretary General dismissed allegations of political bankruptcy and reaffirmed BNP's commitment to conducting politics in tandem with the interests of the people.

He challenged reports that aimed to divert attention from pressing political matters and stated that international sources had not validated these claims.

Addressing recent incidents, the BNP leader accused Awami League of creating a hostile environment for the opposition and claimed that such actions were designed to discredit and disrupt the upcoming elections.

He criticized the government's suspected complicity in incidents involving BNP members and offices, such as the shooting at the Habiganj home of former mayor GK Gaus.

Fakhrul also made remarks on the nation's current development initiatives, implying governmental corruption. 

"The mega projects are launched, but for whose benefit?," he said. It seems that the goal is to profit oneself at the cost of taxpayer funds.