“The December-30 election has demonstrated that Awami League is a fascist force, not a democratic one. We must strengthen our party to face such a fascist force. We’ll have to move forward upholding the spirit of the Amar Ekushey with a sacrificing mentality,” he said.
Speaking at discussion, the BNP leader further said, “Our leader (Khaleda) repeatedly asked us to carry out a movement organising people instead of getting upset. We must keep it in mind that we’ll have to make huge sacrifices to make our struggle a success. We’ll have to get ready for making such sacrifices.”
BNP arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers’, Bangladesh marking the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day.
The nation is set to pay rich tributes to the martyrs of the 1952 historic Language Movement with the clock striking 00.01am on Thursday, marking 'Amar Ekushey’
Fakhrul claimed that a global sentiment is being created against the current ‘autocratic’ government formed through the 11th parliamentary election. “We must put up a strong resistance against it.”
He called upon his party colleagues not to be disappointed thinking that they have got defeated. “We’ll surely launch a struggle by organising all and move forward. We must come out successful.”
The BNP secretary general demanded the government ensure proper treatment for their chairperson Khaleda Zia after releasing her from jail.
He also urged the government to free several thousand arrested BNP leaders and activists from jail withdrawing false cases filed against them.
“We’ll wage a movement to free our leader and force the government hold a fresh election annulling the results of the parliamentary polls under a natural government and new Election Commission,” he said.
Fakhrul said Khaleda Zia could not appear before the court today (Wednesday) due to her serious illness.
He alleged that Khaleda has been deprived of proper treatment over the last one year in jail. “She has been kept in solitary confinement inside the jail which is against the human rights. We would like to clearly say they (govt) must face trial for violating the human rights and keeping Khaleda Zia in solitary confinement.”
BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said the current government has destroyed the spirit of the Amar Ekushey by destroying democracy. “They don’t want the existence of opposition party in the country.”
He alleged that the government has set an example of political ‘criminalisation’ through forming a government with vote frauds. “They’re ruling the country stealing people’s votes.”
Moudud said their party’s huge popularity among people is not enough to get rid of the current situation in the country. “It was proved through the national election that popularity is useless without a strong organisation. So, we must strengthen the party through a overhauling.”
He said their party should be reorganised by bringing the young leaders to the frontline and evaluating those who made immense sacrifices and subjected to repressive acts over the last 10 years. “Our party will be capable of facing any situation if we can strengthen our organisation properly.”
The BNP leader also said their party will have to work out well-planned programmes to have Khaleda Zia freed from jail.
BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan called upon Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders and activists to come forward to free Khaleda from jail through a strong street movement.
Another party standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said Khaleda will surely be released from jail if all the party leaders and activists get united and take to the streets.