Late president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s youngest brother Ahmed Kamal says he is not interested in joining politics as of now.
Kamal organised a special prayer for his late family members on Wednesday in absence of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Though the prayer programme has become the centre of talks in Bangladesh’s political arena, no politicians attended it.
The Milad Mahfil was held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka’s Kakrail.
Kamal was seen sitting on a chair on the stage during the Milad in the afternoon.
A banner behind the stage had photos of his late family members, including his father Mansur Rahman, mother Jahanara Khatun, brothers Rezaur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman, Mizanur Rahman, Khalilur Rahman and Zia’s son Arafat Rahman Coco.
There was also a photo of Kamal on the banner as the organiser of the special prayers.
Military ruler Zia’s wife Khaleda and their sons Tarique Rahman and Coco, took an active part in BNP politics.
Even some of the members of Khaleda parental family entered politics. But Zia’s brothers and other members of his father’s family always stayed away from it.
When Kamal suddenly announced the programme last week it had provoked much discussion. The Milad came at a time when the BNP is in extreme pressure in country’s current political situation.
Many also viewed the programme as a ‘conspiracy’ to split BNP.
Addressing the Milad before the prayers, Ahmed Kamal sought to put all such speculations to rest saying he had no political ambition as of now.
“I’ll let you all know if I decide to join politics someday.”
He, however, termed Bangladesh’s political situation ‘vulnerable’ and criticised the Awami League-led government.
“The government is talking about democracy. This is not democracy. This is autocracy.”
“In this vulnerable situation, everyone must come forward to revive the just and decent trend in politics and democracy for the sake of country’s welfare,” Kamal added.
Explaining the reason behind organising the special prayers, he said, “After I recovered (from my ailment), I’ve been craving to organise this Milad for the late members of the families of my parents and my brothers. This is our family’s Milad Mahfil.”
He urged all ‘not to look it through a different angle’.
Around 3:30pm, before the special prayers, more than 100 people were seen attending the Milad at the Institution of Diploma Engineers auditorium.
No leaders and activists of the BNP or any of its affiliate organizations, however, attended the programme.
A woman was seen sitting on a chair on the ground floor of the auditorium at that time. She introduced herself as Tahura Mojaffar, a cousin of Ziaur Rahman.
A distant relative of Khaleda Zia, S Islam Don, supervised the programme on Wednesday.
Police had set up a check post outside the venue’s gate while plainclothesmen were seen roaming in and outside the venue.
Source: Bd news24
