BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday hailed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus for his remarks on the upcoming parliamentary election.
"I did not hear the Chief Adviser's speech... I learned from you. He rightly said that if those who will participate in the election and the stakeholders want it, he will hold the election at a reasonable time. I appreciate him,” he told reporters after paying tribute to Ziaur Rahman on the occasion of the Victory Day.
He said reform is not a new concept, as it is a continuous process that will persist through the ages.
"Reform is not a sudden process...it cannot be completed at one go. Reforms must align with the demands and changes of time," the BNP leader said.
He expressed the hope that the interim government would restore voting rights as soon as possible. “This is our desire,” he added.
Fakhrul returns home from hospital
Earlier in the day, Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus said that the 13th parliamentary election might be scheduled for the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026.
"Broadly speaking, the election could be scheduled between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026," he said in a televised speech to the nation on Monday morning.
Dr Yunus reiterated his appeal for the completion of all major reforms.
Abbas, accompanied by party leaders and workers, placed wreaths at Ziaur Rahman’s grave to pay homage on the occasion of Victory Day.
Earlier, BNP leaders and workers, led by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar, marking the 54th Victory Day.
Later, the BNP Secretary General fell ill amid the large crowd of leaders and activists present there.
He was rushed to Savar Combined Military Hospital (CMH).
Fakhrul returned to his Gulshan residence after receiving treatment there for two hours.
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Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, said their party secretary general was supposed to talk to reporters at Zia’s grave after paying homage to him. "He’s not here today (Monday) as he fell ill. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope he’ll return to us as soon as possible."
Asked about the BNP's expectations on Victory Day, Abbas said, "I’m overwhelmed seeing the crowd today on this Victory Day... I have never seen such a crowd like today at the National Memorial and here (Zia’s grave) in my life. The only reason for this is the unbridled joy of the people, as they feel the country has been freed from autocracy.”
The BNP leader said the people of this country do not want to fall into the hands of another dictator after getting rid of one.
He said people want to get back their right to vote, but some people express negative views when the BNP talks about elections and voting.
“Our leader Tarique Rahman has clearly urged the government to let us know how long we have to wait. We are willing to wait for reforms… but it can’t continue for a long time,” the BNP leader said.
He said the country’s economic situation is currently in bad shape, with people facing serious hardships due to rising commodity prices.
Abbas said the people of the country want to get rid of this situation for their survival. “People are able to speak, but their financial constraints remain. There will be no solution to this problem until an elected government is in place. We want this government to announce a roadmap.”
He also criticised Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan for her comments on political parties' failure to carry out necessary reforms.
“I would like to tell her that you didn’t do politics... talk about politicians with respect, please. A politician is not made in a day. National leaders like Begum Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, or those who are standing here didn’t emerge in a day. Try to understand and accept what the politicians say,” the BNP leader said.
He said the BNP has long been fighting for restoring the voting rights and the rule of the people, rather than seeking to come to power.
Congratulating the party leaders and workers on the occasion of Victory Day, the BNP Standing Committee member said, "I extend my best wishes to all of you. On behalf of our leaders Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, we also express our sincere greetings and thanks to the country’s people for celebrating this victory."