The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Sunday alleged that the government had started staging ‘extremism drama’ to divert public attention from the opposition’s ongoing one-point movement to oust the ruling Awami League.

‘When the movement started, the extremism drama was started in order to divert people’s attention and panic the Western world. They are doing drama like this,’ BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a discussion in Dhaka.

The discussion was organised on the occasion of the 54th birth anniversary of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s late youngest son, Arafat Rahman.

On Saturday, police raided a house suspected of being a terrorist hideout in the remote hilly area of Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar and arrested 10 people, including women with children.

Referring to that operation, Fakhrul said the days of such ‘drama’ have gone and people, as well as westerners, are now aware of the Awami League’s character of diverting issues.

Fakhrul alleged that Arafat Rahman had to die a tragic death due to political vendetta, adding that BNP chairperson Khaleda was being denied proper treatment.

He alleged that the ruling party wished Khaleda Zia’s death every moment while the former prime minister is very ill.

‘If it were any civilised country in the world, the government would have taken the initiative to provide better treatment to her. The doctors have repeatedly said that her necessary treatment is not possible here. In developed countries, in advanced medical centres where treatment is available, she should be taken,’ he said.

Fakhrul informed BNP leaders and activists that change was imminent. ‘Be sure, change is coming. There will be change; truth will win; beauty will win; and democracy will win.’

‘We are very optimistic. Many people ask, why they always see a smile on my face. I can clearly see that the stone is being removed from the necks of the people. People are being freed,’ he added.