Country was Hasina's father's property for 15 years: Rizvi

He said, "For the last 15 years, the country was Sheikh Hasina's father's property. They did whatever they liked."

Rizvi made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organized by the Uttoranchal Students' Forum to commemorate the 18th release anniversary of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman at the National Press Club auditorium in the city.

Rizvi accused the Awami League of destroying the country through money laundering. 

He claimed that there is no money left in the country due to their plundering. "We still occasionally find evidence of their looting. I recently heard that Tk 1.7 trillion has been laundered, and now I hear that Sheikh Hasina has laundered Tk 2.2 trillion. The Awami League and even economists who support them could never speak of such vast sums being laundered during the five-year BNP rule."

Highlighting the importance of Tarique Rahman's release anniversary, Rizvi described the day as extremely significant. 

He explained that the day holds political, social, and cultural importance because Tarique Rahman represents the continuity of the nationalist force, which their opponents could not accept.

The BNP senior leader criticized the role of the Jatiya Party, saying, "For the past 16 years, they have been accomplices in protecting the bloodthirsty Awami fascism of Sheikh Hasina."

At this time, Rizvi accused them of facilitating the laundering of public funds and sealing the establishment of the Awami League's horrific autocracy.

Rizvi also condemned the media, saying that many journalists have become activists over the past 16 years. 

He alleged that they have crafted narratives of consciousness to destroy democracy, elections, and freedom of the press. "Journalists who spoke the truth were either killed, murdered, or imprisoned. It is very unfortunate that journalists who have acted as slaves to the Awami League now speak with authority," he added.

The senior BNP leader concluded by recalling instances where newspapers referred to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman as "deceased" instead of "Shaheed," saying that BNP will not forget the pain and sorrow caused by these newspapers.

Convener of the BNP Media Cell Professor Dr. Mawdud Hossain Alamgir Pavel was present as the main speaker while and Convener of Amra BNP Poribar Atiqur Rahman Rumon presided over the discussion, reports BSS.