Awami League leaders have started returning to Bangladesh, Prime Minister's Adviser and BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has claimed. He alleged that some BNP activists were also providing shelter to Awami League leaders in exchange for money, warning that those involved would not be spared.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at an exchange meeting organised by the BNP and its affiliated and associate organisations in the Dhaka-8 constituency at the Officers' Club in Shahjahanpur Railway Colony, Dhaka, on Saturday (October 31) afternoon.

Mirza Abbas said he had heard that several Awami League leaders were returning to Bangladesh from India and had taken shelter in different areas. He urged party activists to remain alert and keep a close watch on developments.

Alleging that some BNP members were sheltering Awami League leaders in exchange for money, he said those involved would be collectively resisted, regardless of whether they belonged to the Awami League or the BNP.

He further said no one should receive special consideration because of family ties or personal relationships. If anyone within the BNP was facilitating the return or sheltering of Awami League leaders, party members should inform the leadership so that appropriate action could be taken.

'BNP Has Not Yet Taken to the Streets'

Criticising opposition political groups, Mirza Abbas said the BNP had not yet fully taken to the streets politically. He warned that those challenging the party would face a different situation if the BNP became fully active.

He also questioned how certain individuals had accumulated hundreds of crores of taka while remaining in opposition, raising concerns about the sources of their wealth.

Referring to alleged meetings between some political figures and Awami League leaders, Abbas claimed that discussions were taking place on ways to remove the BNP from power. However, he asserted that the BNP could not be easily defeated politically.

He stressed that political power must be achieved through public votes and warned against attempts to gain power through alternative means.

Emphasising that the BNP should not be considered weakened, Mirza Abbas referred to the leadership of former President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

He concluded by saying that anyone seeking to assume power must do so through the electoral process and with the support of the people.