UK BNP president MA Malik has been living in London for more than two centuries. He could not return to the country for 19 years due to being the leader of BNP. Not only that, he could not bring the bodies of his mother, father and younger brother to the country and bury them. He told about these hardships in a private interview with the newspaper after returning home recently. Farzana Labani, deputy business editor of the newspaper, conducted this interview in a hotel in Gulshan.
What is the reason for not returning to your country for 19 years?
MA Malik: Sheikh Hasina’s government did not allow me and my family to come to my birthplace in Bangladesh for 19 years just because of BNP politics. My mother’s last wish was to be buried in the country. But Sheikh Hasina did not give us that chance. I could not bring my mother’s body to the country. I could not even bring the bodies of my father and younger brother to the country and bury them. The heart cries for the motherland. I shed tears. I could not come to the country. I came to the country after the August 5 student coup. After 19 years, I stepped on the soil of the country. I can’t express this joy in words.
★What is the feeling after returning home?
MA Malik: I was a worker, that is the crime. Sheikh Hasina’s government withheld my passport. You say, how would it feel if someone is not allowed to meet their relatives, acquaintances and friends for 19 years! Do not allow to see your own home! I am a man of this country, soil. I felt a pull towards the ground. He wanted to run away. But I couldn’t. Many of our people are sick in the country. I want to see. Many people wanted to see me. But I couldn’t. My parents and brother were also not allowed to come to the country. Their crime was, they are mine. They wanted to come back to the country again and again. But when he saw that he could not come to the country. They then told me that if you die, you should be buried in the country. That was not possible. I finally got my passport back after the student uprising. After I came to the country, I have been meeting everyone including relatives, friends and political leaders. I am emotional.
It is heard that he will participate in the next national elections.
MA Malik: I am from South Surma area of Sylhet. Even my bathroom commode was taken away during the previous Awami League government. Now if the party deems it worthy, gives nomination, then wants to participate in the next national elections. I want to work for the welfare of people as a public representative. Before going abroad, I was directly associated with BNP politics in the country. Even when I went abroad, I joined BNP politics. At one point, he was given the responsibility of the UK BNP branch president. I also got the opportunity to serve as an advisor to the BNP Chairperson.
How vocal was against the previous government abroad?
MA Malik: I have always done politics from the side of the people. I always protested against the previous fascist government. Especially after One-Eleven, I have consistently led various programs against the Awami League government in the UK. We were active in the anti-fascist movement even in exile. I have been preparing for the movement by participating in video conference with the people of the country for almost a day. I have outlined the movement. In 2023, I led the protest program in Washington when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the United Nations session. At that time, Sheikh Hasina invited me for tea to discuss the withdrawal of the program. I reject it. BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was held captive and I was invited to tea. Forced my leader Tariq Rahman to live in exile. What tea with him! In the last 17 years, more than 600 leaders and workers of BNP, including M Elias Ali, Chowdhury Alam, Sumon, have gone missing. It turned the country into the private property of a group and family. I have always been vocal against those who, in the name of so-called development, burdened each of us with a debt of Rs.
What is BNP thinking about the elections in the coming days?
MA Malik: BNP People’s Party. The party is preparing to participate in the upcoming national elections under the leadership of party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarek Rahman. The fascist government did not allow Tariq Rahman to return to the country. But has he been able to keep away from the love of the people of the country? could not Tariq Rahman is connected with millions of BNP leaders and workers across the country. He led in the realization of the rights of the common people. He built the party in such a way that BNP is currently the most popular party in Bangladesh. The organizational structure is very strong. Tariq Rahman will come to Bangladesh soon after dealing with all the legal issues, inshallah.
How close is BNP to the common people?
MA Malik: Martyr President Ziaur Rahman did not flee the country in 1971. He freed the country by fighting for his life. On the other hand, BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia went abroad many times and did not even get the chance to spend her life comfortably. He also sacrificed his life to build the country. You have seen what the fascist government did to him. He protested. This is called patriotism. Tariq Rahman is the child of two such people. His leadership is safe for Bangladesh. Tariq Rahman will never sell the country – this faith and trust can be kept.
BNP has a hostile relationship with India? In the future, there will be problems in managing the state if there is a hostile relationship with the neighboring country. What is the policy position of BNP in this regard?
MA Malik: BNP does not believe in enmity with anyone. Not even with India. But the relationship will be one of respect and friendship. Not surrendering to anyone. No matter how big the country is. No one can say that the martyred President Ziaur Rahman came to power by pledging to anyone. No one can say the same about Begum Khaleda Zia. BNP does not want to maintain relations by surrendering to India. BNP wants to maintain relations with India while maintaining the interests of Bangladesh.
BNP wants to see how the reform of the country?
MA Malik: My leader Tariq Rahman has already said that BNP wants to make reforms through which people’s fortunes will change. The reforms will solve the problem of unemployment, freedom and rights of women and security of people will be ensured. If the reforms are done, the children of the country will get education and health care.
★ What is BNP thinking about managing the country after the next election?
MA Malik: Head of the interim government. BNP expects Yunus to announce the date of elections in the country soon. Tariq Rahman said that many knowledgeable people who are not involved in traditional politics but are interested in participating in the formation, development and management of the country will be involved in the work of building the country. Especially qualified teachers, artists-writers, journalists, researchers, doctors, technical experts, humanitarian workers will be used. To utilize their services and contribution to the work of the country, BNP wants to incorporate the bicameral parliament system in our country like many other countries in the world. BNP wants unquestionable national unity to build the country. My leader Tariq Rahman has already said that BNP wants to run the country through the national government in the future with the support of the people. BNP will also evaluate those who have participated in the struggle to restore democracy and voting rights for the people of this country.
Source: Newspaper
