BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said the fall of the Awami League government is inevitable as the country’s people have turned against it.
"The people of Bangladesh have taken an oath and made a decision to oust the fascist regime. Whenever the people of Bangladesh make a decision, they never back down from it… every time their opponents have been defeated when the people made a decision,” he said.
Speaking at a brief rally in front of Shyamoli Club field before inaugurating a mass procession with black flags arranged by BNP's Dhaka north city unit, Khosru described Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the opponent of the people of Bangladesh.
“No one could ever win against the people of Bangladesh. So I call upon the brothers of police, RAB, Ansars, government officials and judges not to be the opponent of the people,” he said.
The BNP leader said Sheikh Hasina along with a big delegation, including her family members, went to South Africa by spending huge public money but failed to get membership of BRICS.
“She couldn’t do the work she went there for. She would be rejected from every place. Everyone will reject the illegitimate regime. You won’t get acceptability by going door to door,” he said.
Read: One-point Movement: BNP’s mass processions with black flags begin in capital
At a meeting with Bangladeshis there, Khosru said Hasina sought votes for 'boat' and hurled abuses at the BNP: “She could do it staying at home as she always does. So, what was the justification for her visit to South Africa by spending public money?”
He said the government is trying to play a fresh game by conducting drives against militants to divert people’s demand for holding the next polls under a neutral government to a different direction. “This time no game over militancy will work. Awami League is the biggest terrorist and militant party. These militants, terrorists and liars can’t be allowed to hang onto power.”
Later, Khosru along with party leaders and activists brought out a procession with black flags that ended near Bosila intersection.
As part of their one-point simultaneous movement, BNP’s Dhaka South and North City units brought out two separate processions with black flags in the capital’s Nayapaltan and Shyamoli areas respectively.
Read: BNP, like-minded parties set to hold processions with black flags in Dhaka Friday
The programme was meant for mounting pressure on the government to accept the one-point demand which includes the resignation of the Awami League government and holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas inaugurated the Dhaka South city unit’s procession in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office around 4:20 pm. The procession ended at Doyaganj after parading through different roads.
In a brief address prior to launching the programme, the BNP leader said he slammed the law enforcers for repressing and arresting BNP leaders and activists.
“Some ill-educated people who love money, not country, are pushing Bangladesh towards destruction with their misdeeds and repressive acts,” he said.
The BNP leader also said the law enforcers open fire on BNP leaders and activists and kill them when they take to the streets with public issues. “Why do you do that? Are you foreigners?”
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He said they have long been demanding a reduction of the prices of essential items and utility services, but the government cannot do it as it ruined the economy.
The BNP leader said people will find it very difficult to survive and the country’s independence and existence will be at stake if the Awami League government stays in power any more.
In an oblique reference to India, he said this country wants to see Sheikh Hasina in power again. “I would like to urge them to make friends with the people of Bangladesh not with any government or party.”
Abbas said the next election must be held under a nonparty natural government to restore democracy and people’s voting rights.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies flocked to both spots to join the processions braving bad weather.
Apart from BNP, Ganotantra Mancha, 12-party alliance, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, LDP, Gonoforum and People’s Party, Samamona Peshajibi Ganatantrik Jote, Gonotantrik Bam Oikya, Labour Party, NDM, Bangladesh Sadaran Chhatra Odhikar Sanrakshan Parishad, two factions of Gono Odhikar Parishad, AB Party, Janatar Odhikar Party, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) and NDP also observed the programme separately in different areas of the capital.
A similar programme will also be held in all metropolitan cities on Saturday to press home the opposition's one-point movement with the goal of removing Awami League from power.
Earlier on August 18 (Friday last) the BNP and like-minded parties brought mass processions in all metropolitan cities, including in the capital, to force the government to accept their one-point demand.
