Dhaka: BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday alleged that the government has initiated an ‘ugly cyber war’ against their party with public money ahead of the December-30 national election.

‘They (ruling party) have indulged in a bad campaign in an organised way against Tarique Rahman to impede the movement for Khaleda Zia’s release. There has been widespread dangerous propaganda on the social networking sites,’ he said, reports the UNB.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi also the Awami League activists and then party’s paid online activists are carrying out the propaganda against Zia family without any document. ‘They’ve unleashed information terrorism against BNP and Zia family.’ 

The BNP leader said various spiteful superimposed photos and fake audios and videos are being spread on the Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other social media sites.

‘They (govt) are trying to confuse voters and divert their attention to a different direction from their 10 year’s misrule, plundering, repressive acts and killing and enforced disappearance by carrying out false, fabricated, baseless, indecent and politically motivated propaganda,’ he alleged.

Rizvi also said the ruling party is using over 50 online portals, YouTube channel and Facebook groups, including Bangla Insider, Bangla News Post, Amader Rajniti, News for All, Chobir Moto Desh, Bangladeshi Viral Videos, Chairman Sab, Guerrilla-71, Cyber Force-71, Bangabandhu Cyber Force, Bangabandhu Digital Brigade, Aam Janata, Bhorer Pataa and Gujobe Kan Diben Na, in conducting the offensive campaign. ‘They’re spending thousands of dollars for boosting such posts from fake Facebook IDs.’

Even, he said many websites and Facebook pages have been opened in the names of the Prime Minister’s near and dear ones, and those are being use to conduct the imaginary, bizarre and baseless campaign.

The BNP leader urged the government to refrain from carrying out such false campaign, and practice positive politics.

He also warned that people will give a befitting reply to Awami League’s false campaign through the ballot in the next polls.