Hasina talking like ‘fascist’: BNP

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Terming devoid of political etiquette the Prime Minister’s comments on election and dialogue, Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that Sheikh Hasina is talking like an ‘autocratic and fascist’ ruler.

“The way the Awami League president talked about dialogue and election was devoid of democratic and political etiquette. It can’t be the language of the head of a democratic government. She’s using the language of fascist and autocratic ruler,” said Mirza Fakhrul.

Fakhrul came up with the remarks at a press conference arranged at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan political office to give the party’s reaction to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Thursday press conference.

He alleged that the prime minister does not want to engage in talks as she cannot understand people’s pulse. “The country’s people want a free and fair election to be held, but the PM wants to deny the fact. It can’t be a democratic attitude.”

The BNP spokesperson said they want a fresh fair election not any violence. “We’re on a movement. It’ll be intensified gradually. We’re now conducting a mass contact. We’ll force the regime to concede to our demand through a strong movement.”

Fakhrul criticised the prime minister for holding the press conference at the same time when BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was addressing a pre-scheduled rally in Nilphamari, saying Sheikh Hasina did it with a heinous motive to create an obstacle to the live TV broadcast of the rally.

“We think the prime minister held the press meet at the same time so that the media cannot telecast live our leader’s (Khaleda’s) speech at the rally. With such a move, Hasina has exposed her meanness… we condemn it,” he said.

About the PM’s remark on BNP’s movement, Fakhrul said her comment is not acceptable to people. “A peaceful movement is our main weapon. No one will be able to stop our agitation by issuing threat.”

The BNP acting secretary general also protested the Prime Minister’s statements involving BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda with the August 15, saying Sheikh Hasina is trying to mislead people by providing ‘false information’.

Source: Prothom Alo