Trashing the ruling party’s allegation of 'stockpiling arms along the border', BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir on Tuesday said it’s a fresh plot to foil the anti-government movement and Thursday’s grand rally.
“They (govt) have started a new plot to stop the rise of people and the political movement to restore democracy. Mr Obaidul Quader said in a meeting that BNP is accumulating weapons along the border to create anarchy in Bangladesh,” he said.
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Speaking at a discussion with lawyers, the BNP leader said the ruling party leader made the terrible remark when the people are waking up and starting their final movement to establish their rights.
“They (AL) are trying to hatch a new conspiracy. We would like to make it clear that you'll have to bear all the responsibilities if you use weapons against the people again. The people will also give a reply to it,” he warned.
Fakhrul said their party’s grand rally in the capital slated for Thursday will be held in a peaceful manner. "This rally can’t be thwarted by resorting to any conspiracy and unleashing violence,” he pledged.
He urged the authorities concerned to make all necessary steps so that BNP can hold the rally peacefully.
Or else, he warned that the government, the authorities will be held responsible if anything bad happens centring the grand rally.
Bangladesh United Lawyers Front arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. Lawyers from different districts adjacent to Dhaka join the programme.
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Earlier in the day, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader at a views-exchange meeting said BNP is “preparing to foil the election through violence.”
“Awami League wants free, fair and peaceful elections. But BNP, which does not believe in public support, is stockpiling firearms to contest the elections," he said.
Fakhrul called upon the lawyers to join the ongoing democratic movement of the opposition parties to free the country from misrule. “The people of Bangladesh have to fight another war-like the Liberation War to build a welfare state for the people. Let us all move forward toward that goal.”
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Fakhrul said Bangladesh is now facing its worst-ever political crisis as the current regime has been in power by deceiving the people, spreading fear and destroying all state institutions.
“It is a difficult task for any democratic force to overcome such a crisis. That’s why all the (opposition) political parties have united under this and simultaneously announced a one-point demand,” the BNP leader said.
He said the current regime must resign, dissolve the current parliament and hold a free, fair and impartial election by re-establishing a non-partisan government.
The BNP leader said the Election Commission also must be reconstituted with competent, patriotic and talented people as the current ‘worthless’ commission will not be able to hold a credible national election.
“There’s is no path open in front of us. This government filed false cases against 40 lakh people while it is shedding blood when we’re taking to the streets,” Fakhrul said.
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He said the country’s people have no confidence in the election under Sheikh Hasina. “Their (people's) only demand is to reform the electoral system and bring back the caretaker government to arrange a fair election. “We won’t return home until this demand is met.”