BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Zainul Abedin Farroque on Wednesday urged the interim government to take immediate steps for holding the national election, sensing the pulse of the country’s people.
“We urge you (CA) to understand the pulse of people. They want an election. Make all arrangements for the election soon,” he said while addressing a discussion meeting.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Pharmacy Association arranged the programme titled “Specific Roadmap for the Jatiya Sangsad Election and Reforms in the State Structure” at the Jatiya Press Club.
Farroque alleged that the cohorts of the Awami League are trying to delay the election as part of a conspiracy against the interim government.
"Hasina fled the country, but her associates remain. Identify these cohorts of the Awami League who are making sinister efforts to obstruct the election and take action against them," he said.
The BNP leader said those who carried out the movement for the past 16 years, and those who participated in the July-August mass uprising, have only one demand which is a fair election.
“We want the election not to bring the BNP to power, but to restore people's right to vote. That is why we have carried out a movement for 16 years," he said.
Farroque said their party has long been calling upon the government to arrange the election as early as possible, but they are not taking to the streets like others to realise their demands.
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“Why would we wage a movement against you? It was us who installed you in the office. We have many demands from the government, but we don’t take to the streets for that,” he said.
The BNP leader said that some political parties, who have already declared their candidates across the country and begun their election campaigns, criticise BNP for continually demanding the election.
The BNP leader recalled how their party leaders and activists, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, endured repression, suppression and imprisonment for the restoration of democracy.
He said Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s most popular leader, was not spared for her democratic struggle, as she faced attacks, imprisonment, and repression.
Farroque expressed serious concern over the killing of Shahriar Alam Shammo, a DU student and leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
“Suhrawardy Udyan, next to Dhaka Medical, BUET and DU, is a den for drugs, gambling, immoral activities and muggers. Doesn’t anyone see this?... One of our student leaders was killed. A probe body may be formed—but nothing will come of it,” he bemoaned.
The BNP leader also slammed the government for allowing former President Abdul Hamid to leave the country. “Forming a probe committee after his departure is a ridiculous matter… Would an inquiry be able to bring him back?”