BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman on Wednesday said they will stage a peaceful revolution in the country for restoring its democracy.
“Democracy has been killed through the Jan 5 farcical elections. Our leader Khaleda Zia has called for a struggle to restore democracy. We’ll stage a peaceful upheaval under her leadership,” he said.
Mahbub made the remark while addressing a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club arranged by Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, marking the 78th birth anniversary of BNP founder late President Ziaur Rahman.
The BNP policymaking body member said the country’s 95 percent people have rejected Awami League and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the January 5 elections.
He urged the government to cancel the 10th parliamentary elections and immediately hold a fresh national election with the participation of all under a non-party administration.
Addressing the function, BNP vice chairman Selima Rahman said the government is mow staying in office using the power of arms not with the mandate of the country’s people. “It’s possible to cling to power, but not possible to win people’s hearts.”
She claimed that people have given their support to BNP by boycotting the January 5 polls responding to the call of Khaleda Zia.
Mentioning that BNP does not believe in violence, Selima said they would continue their peaceful movement together with people to realise their demand and ensure the fall of this regime.
Meanwhile, BNP publicity secretary Zainul Abdin Farroque said they are ready to sit with the government for the sake of resorting democracy though it is an illegitimate regime.
“You (govt) have held a farcical election in the name of protecting constitution. You’re now in office illegally. Yet, we’re ready to engage in talks with you for restoring democracy,” he told another discussion held at the Press Club arranged by Bangladesh Youth Forum.
Source: UNB Connect