BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said the people will not accept the conspiracy of any quarter to derail the election.
“Attempts are being made to create an unstable environment in the country. They are trying to foil the election. They are trying to postpone the election. The people will not accept this. We achieved independence from fascists in exchange for much bloodshed. We have an opportunity to return to the democratic system. We cannot let this opportunity be wasted due to the conspiracy of any quarter,” he said.
Fakhrul made the comments while speaking as the chief guest at a commemorative meeting held at the Jessore Town Hall ground marking the 7th death anniversary of Tariqul Islam, BNP’s former standing committee member and minister.
Regarding the political parties, the secretary general said: “We have demonstrated a great deal of responsibility. We have not yet taken to the streets over any issue. You must remember that BNP is not a party that came from nowhere; BNP is a party built by the people of this country.”
“The general referendum must be held on the same day as the national parliament election. We are in agreement on this issue. No referendum will be allowed before the parliamentary election,” he added.
The BNP leader urged political parties, saying: “I want to call upon the political parties–please do not muddy the waters, do not lead the country towards instability. Please do not arrange to bring distress to the people of the country.”
He added: “We have struggled a lot, we have fought many battles. Cases have been filed against 6000,000 people. 20,000 people have died. You are starting anew. You are attempting to gain political advantage. The people of this country will not accept that.”
Mirza Fakhrul said: “BNP is the party of the late president and proclaimer of independence, Major General Ziaur Rahman. BNP is the party of the uncompromising leader Begum Khaleda Zia, who struggled for democracy with her life.’
He added: “Therefore, do not threaten BNP. Thousands of our leaders and workers have been subjected to enforced disappearances, murders in the anti-fascist movement. If we take to the streets, the political calculations of the conspirators may be overturned.”
Calling for the immediate announcement of the election schedule, the BNP secretary general said: “Arrange for the immediate declaration of the election schedule and move forward with the reforms that were decided upon in October. Arrange to free the country from all crises.”
Accusing the consensus commission of bias, he said: “Now you are saying that political parties must sit down and make a decision. Then what have you been doing all this time? You have not done the right thing. We have always gone to the commission and given our opinion.”
