BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday warned that BNP would not accept local government polls ahead of the national election.
“The collaborators of fascist Hasina would raise their ugly heads if the local elections are held first, which the people of the country would not accept,” said Fakhrul while addressing a rally at the Town Hall ground in Jashore, organised by the district BNP to press home their various demands, including bringing down the prices of essentials to a tolerable level.
They also demanded improvement in the deteriorating law-and-order situation, quick announcement of the election roadmap and prevention of conspiracies to reestablish fascism.
Fakhrul urged the interim government advisers to resign if they want to stay in power and then contest the elections.
“If you want to stay in power, step down first and then contest the election. (You) form a new party outside the government—we have no objection. But any such activity while remaining in power will not be tolerated,” he said.
The BNP leader pledged that if his party comes to power, it will reopen closed factories in Jashore’s Noapara and ensure a permanent solution to waterlogging in Bhabadaha.
“Fascist Hasina tried many times to break the BNP but failed. BNP is a party of people, and we have fought alongside people against fascism for the last 17 years. The mass uprising on August 5 was the ultimate victory,” Fakhrul said.
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He said the government’s current talks for reforms are nothing new as BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had proposed similar reforms in 2016.
“Implement the necessary reforms for holding polls and hold the national election without delay. We are hopeful that the Yunus government will do so soon,” he added.
Expressing concern over rising prices of essentials, Fakhrul said, “I wish I could say we are all doing well, but we are not. The prices of rice, lentils, oil, salt and other daily essentials have skyrocketed. Law and order have deteriorated.”
“Even though fascist Hasina has fled, we are still not safe. Under her regime, 6 lakh BNP leaders and activists faced cases, several thousand were killed, and over 700 were victims of enforced disappearance. At least 84 BNP leaders and activists from Jashore were killed. Hasina’s regime created torture cells to detain and kill our leaders and activists,” he said.
“The July revolution aimed to establish a democratic state, restore voting rights, and ensure a truly democratic Bangladesh. Yet, 54 years after independence that dream remains unfulfilled,” he said.
The rally was presided over by Jashore district BNP convener Prof Nargis Begum.
BNP Khulna divisional acting organisational secretary Anindya Islam Amit, assistant religious affairs secretary Amlendu Das Apu, assistant health affairs secretary Jahanara Siddiqui, former office secretary Mofiqul Hasan Tripti were, among others, present.