“The Awami League government doesn’t believe in democracy at all. They’re going to establish a one-party system in the guise of democracy by fooling people. In fact, it’s a one-person rule,” he said.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, he said, “We’ve said a lot needs to be done to mount pressure on the government to quit by forming human chains, holding processions and observing hartals. But still we couldn’t do that as the regime has been abetted by a special power.”
Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the arrest of its acting convener and senior journalist Ruhul Amin Gazi.
Mirza Fakhrul urged the government to quit before people come up with a united resistance. “Enough is enough! It can't continue anymore. Step down immediately understanding the language in the eyes of people and make arrangements for holding credible elections under a neutral government. Or else, you’ll be washed away with a mass wave.”
He called upon people to raise their voice and take to the streets against the ‘misdeeds of the government. “We must stand up and carry out a strong struggle as we did in 1971 and in 1990 to restore our lost rights and democracy.”
The BNP secretary general said the government is arresting journalists, politicians, common people and online activists by implicating them in different cases to suppress the dissents.
He said journalist Ruhul Amin Gazi was arrested on ‘false’ charges and he has been denied bail by misinterpreting the law.
"It’s not an isolated matter since many journalists are being tortured, oppressed and killed. Journalists now don’t dare write freely because of the laws that have been enacted to harass and intimidate them. A reign of fear and terror has been established across the country and the government has been in power by force using the state machinery,” Fakhrul said.
Pointing to the recently held by-polls and local body elections, he alleged that Election Commission and the government are jointly using the elections as a tool to stay in power. “They’re playing with the nation in the name of elections.”
The BNP leader also said ruling party men with the help of law enforcers are attacking BNP leaders and activists and oppressing them in the electoral areas.