BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said their party will continue to support the interim government, led by Dr Muhammad Yunus, as long as it remains committed to democracy.

“We have to support this government. It is the outcome of a mass upsurge and movement. We will back this government as long as it remains in favour of democracy and democratic transfer of power,” he said.

Fakhrul came up with the remarks while addressing a sit-in programme in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan Central Office in the capital.

The BNP observed a two-day sit-in programme across the country on Wednesday and Thursday, demanding the trial of deposed ruler Sheikh Hasina and her aides for carrying out genocide during the recent student-led mass movement that toppled her 16-year regime.

Fakhrul expressed the expectation that the interim government would hold a free and fair election after providing relief to the people. “The people will form a government with their votes through that election. We also want it. We’ll allow a reasonable amount of time, as we want power to be transferred to an elected government through a democratic election,” he said.

He said the sacrifices made by the BNP over the past 16 years for democracy are rare in history, noting that many party members have been killed, repressed, or forcibly disappeared.

Mirza Fakhrul also thanked the students for their role in creating a mass upsurge that led to the removal of the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina.

He said that nearly 1,000 students and people were shot and killed across the country by the Awami League government “But history is cruel and Allah is also harsh in ensuring justice. Allah showed before their eyes that power is not eternal, it’s temporary.”

The BNP leader said Sheikh Hasina used to show her arrogance and cross the limit. “But what was the command of Allah, she had to run away again to that place where her root is.”

Fakhrul urged Awami League leaders and activists to avoid committing excesses. “Otherwise, they won’t be able to sustain themselves,” he said, suggesting that they should surrender willingly for their misdeeds.

He demanded that the trial of Awami League leaders be conducted at the International Crimes Tribunal for their involvement in genocide, persecution and various crimes.

The BNP leader also warned his party’s leaders and activists against engaging in any wrongdoing that could reflect negatively on the party.

However, he urged them to stay united in defending the second independence and to thwart any conspiracies by the Awami League.

Fakhrul said there was no objection to Awami League leaders and workers placing wreaths at Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s home at Dhanmondi-32.

“But the students did not allow it to happen. Why? Because no one wants to see this person. No one wants to see the face of the murderer Hasina,” he said.

The BNP leader said Awami League is plotting to destabilise the country by using the Hindus and making an issue of repression of the minority communities.

“Our madam (Khaleda Zia) very nicely stated (earlier) that there is no minority in Bangladesh, all in the country are Bangladeshi citizens... We all people, including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians fought the liberation war in 1971 and made the country independent. We do not agree with those who want to separate the Hindu community on that basis,” he observed.

Fakhrul said though BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was freed, party Acting Chairman Tariq Rahman has not been freed yet. “He (Tarique) must be brought back to the country. Thousands of false cases against our leaders and workers must be withdrawn… there will be no cases (against our leaders and workers).”

He thanked the interim government for taking various steps to restore normalcy in the country. “More steps must be taken by them. All the conspirators who are still sitting in the government must be immediately thrown out of it and must be removed from the office.”

Besides, the BNP leader said those who are identified as terrorists and those who abetted the Sheikh Hasina government should be immediately arrested and brought to justice.