DHAKA, Dec 17, 2024 (BSS) - BNP Chairperson's adviser Advocate Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal today said there could be difference of onions but all must have consensus on the issues of national interest.

“Difference of opinion is beauty in democracy. We may have differences in opinions but we have unity on national interests,” he told a roundtable organized by Bangladesh Nizam-e-Islam Party at Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) here.

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Prof Mujibur Rahman, AB Party Member Secretary Mujibur Rahman Manju, Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Dr Ahmad Abdul Quader and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh Vice President Maulana Abdur Rab Yusufi also spoke at the meeting with Bangladesh Nizam-e-Islam Party Ameer Allama Sarwar Kamal Azizi in the chair.

Moazzem Hossain Alal said: “We will have to resist the domination of not only India but also all others who would try to show aggression towards us.”

About the mass killing during the July-August movement and repression on people during the Awami League (AL) regime, he said AL must seek apology to the people first. But they didn’t do so through the law enforcement agencies have sought apology, he added.

Noting that AL is habituated with changing its character along with its name, Alal said at first, this party was born as Awami Muslim League, after a few days, it became only Awami League by dropping the word ‘Muslim’ and then, Awami League was scrapped and it was renamed as BAKSAL and again it became Awami League.

Those who have changed their names four times since their birth will also change their character frequently, he said, adding there should be no compromise with them.

In his address, Prof Mujibur Rahman said Awami League is not just a party of thieves but also of robbers and murderers.

They have seized wealth by force and looted it and laundered it abroad, he said adding: “Therefore, I do not think that any compromise should be made regarding them. They must be tried first. After trial, they must be punished. There can be no talk of any compromise before punishing them through trial. Whether it is a big party or a small party, we do not want to give any scope without trial and we cannot give it.”

He said, “We got freedom from subjugation on August 5, 2024. Allah has given us back our independence.”

AB Party Member Secretary Mujibur Rahman Manju said India helped Bangladesh as it had an interest in it.

“India helped us to split Pakistan,” he said.

Dr Ahmad Abdul Quader said BNP wants to give Awami League a chance in the future elections. “Many have helped Awami League leaders flee the country in exchange for money. Those who did this have no patriotism. We must agree on whether Awami League will be allowed to contest elections or not. We need to agree on national questions,” he said.

Maulana Abdur Rab Yusufi said: “Our thoughts may differ but we have to remain united. Islam should be our main basis of agreement. Reform and unity should be based on Islam.”

“India is at the peak of communalism. They are creating cracks so that communalism can be created in Bangladesh. They are trying to instigate riots,” he said.

“We do politics to come to power. But we should not be desperate to come to power. We should do politics mainly to take the country forward,” he said.