Stating that the time of the Awami League government is running out fast, BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Tuesday said their party’s programme of street march is meant for saying goodbye to the Awami League’s repressive rule.
“Even after so much repression by the government, BNP did not sit at home, nor did the people of this country. Rather, they have come to the streets to ensure your downfall,” he said in remarks directed at the AL government.
The BNP leader also said their party together with the people is carrying out a peaceful movement on the streets. “Awami League is criticizing our march programme under various names out of fear. We would like to tell you, your time is up.”
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Calling upon the government to get ready to quit, he said “We’re doing this (march) as an advance procession of your farewell. Whatever you think of our march, this is our peaceful procession to bid you farewell.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member came up with the remarks while inaugurating their party’s third march towards the Mirpur-10 intersection from Gabtoli.
He said the way the people are taking to the streets, they will be able to bring down the current regime in a very short time. “So, we must forge a strong unity among us.”
The BNP leader said while people are struggling to cope with the growing price hikes of daily essentials, the government has been repeatedly increasing the tariffs of power, gas and water only to plunder public money.
He said the government is now unable to import food from abroad and even unload the goods from vessels for lack of money.
The BNP leader said the government has ruined the country’s economy by indulging in widespread plundering and siphoning off huge money abroad, creating a famine-like situation in the country.
Referring to Transparency International’s latest report he said Bangladesh’s position in the corruption perception index has slid one step lower to 12 from the bottom among 180 countries as the ruling party-backed syndicates are indulging in widespread corruption.’
“As we say, it is also seen internationally that corruption is increasing in Bangladesh. Awami League-backed syndicates are indulging in corruption. So, it is not possible to curb their corruption. That is why the people of the country want the resignation of this government as soon as possible." “The sooner this regime goes the better for the country.”
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Another BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said people are going through a very tough time due to unusual hikes in prices of all essential items.
He said the government is also raising the prices of utility services as it has taken a stance against the people. “There’s no alternative to ousting this regime to save the country, and its people and restore democracy and people’s rights.”
The BNP leader said Awami League’s history is killing democracy or supporting those who obstructed democracy while BNP repeatedly restored democracy. “We need to restore it once again together with people through a movement.”
Khandaker Mosharraf formally inaugurated the march programme at Gabtoli Bus Stand around 3:20 pm. It ended at the Mirpor-10 intersection after parading around a five-kilometre stretch of the road.
It was the third such programme of BNP as the party’s Dhaka North City unit marched from Badda to Malibagh on Saturday and the Dhaka South City unit marched from Jatrabari to Jurine on Monday.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the programme, carrying banners, national and party flags, festoons and portraits of the party's top leaders.
There was a heavy deployment of law enforcers w in the area to maintain law and order and fend off any untoward incidents.
Earlier on Thursday last, BNP announced the four-day march programme in the capital for January 28, 30, 31 and February 1.
The programme will be concluded with the Dhaka South City unit’s march from Mugda to Malibagh on Wednesday.