Bangladesh must never return to fascism: Rashed

He made the remarks while briefing reporters after paying tribute and offering prayers at the graves of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and former BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital following his appointment.

Rashed said he has so far done nothing that would cause the Prime Minister to lose confidence in him.

“The Bangladesh that emerged through the mass uprising must never again be crushed under the wheels of fascism,” he said.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had entrusted him with the responsibility of Political Affairs Assistant based on trust and confidence, noting that he had maintained both personal and organisational relations with the Prime Minister.

Rashed said he had actively participated as a political activist in the simultaneous movement launched in 2022, the one-point movement and later the student-led mass uprising by following Tarique Rahman's directives.

“Until now, I have not done anything that would make the Prime Minister lose confidence in me,” he said, reiterating that Bangladesh should never again experience fascist rule.

He said the time has come to rebuild the state and urged all political forces that fought against fascism to remain united despite ideological and political differences.

“There may be political and ideological differences among us, but there should be no differences when it comes to rebuilding the country,” he said.

Rashed alleged that some political parties that emerged or gained political opportunities following the mass uprising were now attempting to obstruct the country's new journey and the Prime Minister's vision of rebuilding the state.

Addressing Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), he said, “The language you are using against the BNP is no different from that used by Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League. I see no difference.”

He also alleged that those parties did not want the Prime Minister to succeed.

“The Prime Minister of Bangladesh will certainly succeed, Insha'Allah. No anti-state force will be able to obstruct his vision and the country's progress,” he said.

Earlier, Rashed Khan was appointed as Assistant (Political Affairs) to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with the rank of Secretary on a contractual basis.

A notification signed by Deputy Secretary Md Golam Rabbani of the Ministry of Public Administration was issued on Sunday under the order of the President.

According to the notification, Rashed has been appointed on the condition that he relinquishes any other profession, business or employment with any government, semi-government, private institution or organisation.

It said he will serve as the Prime Minister's Political Affairs Assistant with the rank of Secretary from the date of joining until the end of the Prime Minister's tenure or until the Prime Minister decides otherwise, whichever comes earlier, reports UNB.