BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that a quarter is desperate to divide the nation, though unity is now essential to protect the country and restore democracy.
“I urge all not to engage in the politics of division. What is most needed now to save the country and restore democracy is unity,” he said while unveiling the cover of a book.
The book, titled “Rajbandir Jabanbandi” which chronicles the depositions given in court by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a ‘false’ case of Zia Orphanage Trust case against her, was unveiled at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.
Fakhrul said reforms are indeed necessary, but the driving force behind these reforms must be an elected parliament and government. "Without this, we will never be able to legitimise the reforms. I don’t want to engage in a debate over it now.”
The BNP leader also urged all to refrain from excessive debate on the matter.
“I call on all pro-democratic and freedom-loving people of the country to remain united. Don’t get divided. But, it seems to me that some people are desperate to divide the country and its people,” he said.
He also said some people are also making provocative statements aimed at dividing the nation.
The BNP leader called up the politicians to remain alert about it and refrain from making efforts to create division in the country.
An unhealthy competition has emerged, driven solely by the desire to pursue power, he said without specifically naming those involved in such activities.
"Since Hasina fled the country, I don’t understand why we can’t restore full trust in ourselves, and why we can’t maintain unity. Don’t you see? An unhealthy competition has begun to dominate the pursuit of power… Power can only be sustained when you ensure stability,” Fakhrul said.
He said their party was the first to raise the issue of reforms and has consistently advocated for the necessary reforms.
The BNP claimed that that their party’s founder Ziaur Rahman was the first person to introduce state reforms by establishing a multi-party democratic system and dismantling the one-party rule.
He expressed gratitude to the students and youth who sacrificed their lives during the July-August mass uprising against the Awami League’s fascist rule.
"The sacrifice of our people, our youths, our volunteers, our students, and our women will not be in vain. At least we rid ourselves of fascism and drove them out,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul also expressed hope that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman would return to Bangladesh from London. "Our Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will soon be completely free from all charges... He will also be with us again, Inshallah.”
The BNP Secretary General thanked pro-BNP lawyer Advocate Abdur Razzak Khan, journalist Shafik Rehman and Khaleda Zia's former press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan for turning Khaleda Zia's depositions into a book.