Urging the government to maintain complete neutrality, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that attempts are being made to place bureaucracy under the control of a particular party ahead of the national election.
“Efforts are being made to bring bureaucracy under the control of a particular party. We (BNP) will never tolerate such moves. During the election, the bureaucracy, government, and the Election Commission must remain completely neutral,” he said.
While speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said the Election Commission must not bow to any party or succumb to undue political pressure.
“Once again, we want to make it clear to the present government that it must play a completely neutral role. Otherwise, we will not accept it, and the people of this country will not accept it either,” he warned.
The BNP Secretary General categorically said the national election must be held only within the February, 2026 timeframe set in June by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at a meeting in London. “Otherwise, there will be no election.”
The Jihad Smriti Parishad arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in memory of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activist Nazir Uddin Ahmed Jihad, who was shot dead in Dhaka on October 10, 1990, during the anti-Ershad movement.
Earlier in the morning, BNP leaders, including Aman Ullah Aman, paid tribute by placing wreaths at the Shaheed Jehad memorial at Jehad Square, marking his 35th death anniversary.
Fakhrul said it made him laugh when some people questioned BNP’s sincerity about reforms, as it is the BNP that has brought all necessary reforms in Bangladesh.
Highlighting Ziaur Rahman’s nation-building legacy, he said that just as Ziaur Rahman had inspired people by visiting every household, their leader Tarique Rahman, though 8,000 miles away, continued to motivate them from afar and sent the message to every home to wake up and claim their rights.
“We are on the path to claiming those rights, but many are obstructing that path. Rumours are being spread. Let us be clear: we brought reform before, and we will bring it again. Reform is an ongoing process and will continue. So, there is no benefit in needlessly smearing BNP with false propaganda,” he said.
Fakhrul recalled BNP’s struggle and sacrifices against autocratic rulers, Ershad in the 1990s and Sheikh Hasina over the last 15 years, for the restoration of democracy.
He said 'monster' Sheikh Hasina did not leave for Delhi on her own but was forced to go because BNP had created the ground for it through 15 years of struggle and fighting with their blood.
“If anyone questions us, let me say it clearly and loudly: we brought democracy, we brought reform. We ourselves will establish this democracy, and if necessary, I will once again protect democracy with my own blood,” the BNP leader said.
He also said democracy doesn’t come from jumping about for a few days, as it needs experience, sacrifice, and reaching out to the people. “BNP is the party that goes to the people. This party has a real connection with ordinary people.”
The BNP leader said an opportunity has opened to return to democratic rule through ousting Hasina by the mass uprising last year.
“The only way back to democracy is a free, fair and impartial election. There is no alternative. Democracy cannot be created by a few people making laws among themselves.”
He criticised NCP for issuing threats that they will not contest the election unless they are allocated the Shapla (Water Lily) symbol and for demanding that the Election Commission remove other national emblems, including the “Sheaf of Paddy,” from the list of election symbols if their request is not granted.
“Brother, we have not stopped you from getting any symbol. Which symbol you will receive will be decided by the Election Commission. We never said you could not be given that symbol. So why this needless tug of war over BNP’s Sheaf of Paddy?” Fakhrul said.
He said the reason behind talking about BNP’s Sheaf of Paddy is simple, as it is an irresistible symbol.
“Everywhere in the villages, the slogan is the same: ‘In Bangladesh, the BNP’s Sheaf of Paddy is unstoppable.’ That is why it must be restrained — because if the BNP’s Sheaf of Paddy survives, the enemies of Bangladesh will be forced to abandon all their conspiracies and be defeated.”