UNB: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday urged public servants and the state institutions to discharge their duties as per the constitution since the government is trying to usurp power again by controlling state apparatus.
Speaking at a rally of professionals, he also said the government’s all efforts to cling to power will go in vain as the country’s people and all opposition political parties are now united to oust it.
The BNP leader said Awami League has been in power by force by destroying the entire election system and holding two completely ridiculous national elections in 2014 and 2018.
“They’re again dreaming that they will go to power by holding the polls in the same way. When you open the newspaper every day you’ll see news on transfers of DCs, SPs, new postings, and the promotions of thousands of people in the administration. They’re doing these as they’re thinking to cross the election hurdle again by regulating the administration as before. This won’t happen again,” Fakhrul said.
He said their party together with other opposition parties has been in a movement to restore the voting rights and freedom of people.
“We urge our brothers who are in administration, in law enforcement agencies, and in the Judiciary to discharge your specific responsibilities in light of the constitution and the specific code of conduct. Do not bow down to injustice. Take a side in favour of people,” the BNP leader said.
He called upon the professionals to be involved with the opposition’s ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy and people’s voting and other lost rights.
Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club in protest against the ‘prescribed’ verdict of a lower court against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman in a graft case.
Fakhrul said the people of Bangladesh have succeeded in proving that there is no democracy in the country and there was vote fraud and rigging in the last two elections. “The people of Bangladesh have woken up this time to put up a resistance against the current regime.”
He said the government will not be able to suppress people this time by resorting to repressive acts as the people and all the opposition political parties are now united.
The BNP leader said even the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Islamic Andolan Bangladesh and other parties, who are not with the BNP’s simultaneous movement, are saying clearly that no fair election will be held under the current “monstrous and fascist” government.
“The next election must be held with the votes of the people and they must be given the chance to cast their votes this time. It won’t happen if this government remains in power,” he observed.
Slamming the government for continuing repressive acts, Fakhrul said the BNP leaders and activists are being attacked, beaten, shot, arrested and harassed by raiding their houses at night. “
He alleged that the government has been trying to suppress the one-point movement by using the judiciary.
“The judicial system has been completely politicised. I think sometimes that the most oppressive place is now the judiciary. Our leaders and activists are being sent to jail by denying them bail in ghost cases,” the BNP leader said.
He also alleged their party leaders and activists have been subjected to repression in jails. “Our boys are being kept in lockup round-the-clock. It can’t go on in any civilised and democratic country.”
