No way for govt to avoid early polls: BNP

B Chy urges Khaleda to minimise mistakes


 BNP on Thursday warned that it will realise its demand for holding a fresh election under a non-party government through a street movement if the government does not accept it willingly.

“Our leader (Khaleda) has already asked the government for arranging a fresh election under a non-party neutral administration immediately. We’ll wage a movement together with people to realise our demand if the government doesn’t accept it,” said BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

He was addressing a discussion organised by BNP at the Institution of Engineers’, Bangladesh, marking the 33rd death anniversary of party founder Ziaur Rahman.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia took part in the programme sitting with the audience. She, however, did not address it.

BNP, its associate bodies and different socio-cultural organisations will observe the 33rd death anniversary Zia on Friday with various programmes. BNP and its front organisations earlier chalked out a 14-day programme to observe the death anniversary with due respect.

On May 30, 1981, Zia was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House.

Fakhrul, who chaired the discussion, said the current ‘illegal’ government has created a suffocating situation in the country with its misrule and repressive acts. “This regime must be ousted to get rid of it.”

The BNP spokesman alleged that a quarter, as part of its conspiracy, had assassinated Ziaur Rahman to obliterate his name and ideals from the hearts of the country’s people, but failed.

He alleged that the same conspirators are also now making various evil efforts to defame Zia and keep his family members out of politics.

Mentioning that the ruling party is carrying out ‘false propaganda’ against Zia, he said people now do not want to hear the lies spread by Awami League.

Addressing the programme, president of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury alleged that the ruling party is trying its best to vilify Ziaur Rahman.

Claiming Zia is the part of history of Bangladesh, the former president said those trying to malign him are the country’s enemies.

B Chowdhury, the founding secretary general of BNP, suggested BNP leaders and activists to follow the ideals of Zia and feel proud of his activities and contributions to the country.

Pointing at Khaleda who was listening to his address, the BDB chief said, “You’ve made many mistakes. Minimise your mistakes and go to people imbued with the ideals of Ziaur Rahman. You’ll get overwhelming response from them.”

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, BNP standing committee members RA Gani, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, MK Anwar, Rafiqul Islam Miah, Mirza Abbas and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, among others, addressed the programme.

Source: UNB Connect