“The history says none can stay in power for a long time using force. This government cannot do it either”
Issuing a note of warning, the BNP yesterday said if the government did not hold parliamentary election immediately with the participation of all parties, it would not be able to stay in power for a long time.
“The whole world including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and European Union said the January 5 election was not acceptable,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary general of the party, came up with the statement, adding that they talked about inclusive elections immediately, but the ministers were saying they would stay in power for five years.
“We want to say to the government…please hold an inclusive election immediately.” The BNP leader was addressing a discussion at the National Press Club in the capital yesterday.
“The history says none can stay in power for a long time using force. This government cannot do it either.”
Terming the prevailing situation of the country “dreadful”, Fakhrul said: “I find the situation similar to that in 1972-75. At that time bodies of young people were found in the street and the same situation is prevailing now.”
What type of democracy is this when the BNP leaders and activists are being abducted and killed by crossfire? he posed a question. Criticising the ministers’ statements, the party spokesperson said without being elected the ministers and lawmakers were taking gold crests and crowns and many were talking about cash instead of crest.
“People want to get rid of such mockery and circus.”
The BNP leader asked all from the cross-sections of life to unite to restore democracy to the country.
“Take initiative to hold inclusive polls before the expiration of time and do not take away people’s fundamental rights to hold meetings and processions,” he urged the government.
BNP standing committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy alleged that the ruling party ministers and lawmakers were violating the upazila election’s code of conduct.
He alleged that the lawmakers and ministers of the ruling party were campaigning in favor of the Awami League-backed candidates to ensure their victory.
It was a violation of electoral code of conduct, the BNP leader said.
He said the ministers were campaigning for their candidates riding cars and saying that if their candidates did not win the election, development would not take place.
The BNP-led alliance-backed candidates were being harassed as false cases were filed against them, he alleged.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
