BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday expressed deep concern over what he described as a ‘new black shadow’ looming over Bangladesh’s democratic future, warning of a plot to derail the national election and deprive people of their right to vote.
“In exchange for the blood and sacrifice of thousands of students and mass people, a new possibility has been created for real democracy and a truly fascism-free modern Bangladesh. But now, a new shadow has fallen upon that hope,” he said, virtually addressing a joint meeting of BNP and its associate bodies from a Thailand hospital, where he recently underwent an eye surgery.
The BNP leader alleged that a well-orchestrated conspiracy is underway to delay the national election and obstruct people's voting and other rights.
He accused certain infiltrators within the government of plotting to mislead the country and divert it from its democratic path. “You must have noticed that the politics of division has begun once again.”
Fakhrul voiced concerns that attempts are being made to create discord among different sections of people and to pit state institutions against each other.
In such a situation, he said, “Every leader and worker of BNP has to be very alert and they have to work consciously and stand against any conspiracy.”
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Fakhrul said it is now the major responsibility of the BNP to establish democracy, rebuild Bangladesh and fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people.
“I request all the leaders and workers of BNP to remember these things very consciously… BNP leaders and workers have to play the role so that no one can harm Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty, no one can suppress democracy with autocracy and fascism anymore,” he said.
Fakhrul also urged party leaders and activists to transform their grief into strength in order to build a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh, thwarting all conspiracies.
He reminded that BNP leaders and activists have made tremendous sacrifices over the past 17 years, during which false cases were filed against 60 lakh of them, several thousand were killed and nearly 1,700 were subjected to enforced disappearance.
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From those adversities, the BNP leader said a new opportunity has now emerged to build a new Bangladesh, realising the vision of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, current Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
On the 44th death anniversary of BNP founder President Ziaur Rahman, Fakhrul said, “Let us not be consumed by grief — instead, let us channel our sorrow into strength, so that we can defeat all evil forces and build a truly democratic, modern, and prosperous Bangladesh.”
The meeting was held at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, with the participation of top leaders from the party’s various associate bodies.
Despite being hospitalised abroad, Fakhrul chaired the party’s annual joint meeting virtually, a tradition he has maintained over the years. The meeting worked out an eight-day programme in observance of Ziaur Rahman’s death anniversary.
The BNP Secretary General is currently under intensive observation at Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok following successful surgery on his left eye for a retinal problem on May 14.