Says Fakhrul

The 18 crore people of Bangladesh no longer wish to see the Awami League due to its oppression, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said yesterday.

The 18 crore people of Bangladesh no longer wish to see the Awami League due to its oppression, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said yesterday.

He made the remarks at a rally organised by the BNP at the Polo Ground in Chattogram city. The event, titled "Rally to Establish Political Rights of the Youth," was attended by thousands of leaders and activists of districts under the Chattogram division.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Fakhrul said, "While you're holding a rally here at this ground, another rally is taking place in New Market in the city. Another rally is going on in Dhaka. And what is the demand? The demand is to ban the Awami League, isn't it? Not only all of us who are here in this field, my friends, but also the 18 crore people of Bangladesh don't want to see the Awami League. Since the country's independence, Awami League has oppressed the people, destroyed democracy, and established one-party rule through BAKSAL regime."

Claiming that the country's first reform was initiated by president Ziaur Rahman, he said that President Zia carried out the first reforms for the country by restoring democracy from one-party rule.

President Zia granted freedom to the press, ensured the independence of the judiciary, liberalised the economy, and laid the foundation of today's economic growth -- whether it is garment industry or sending people abroad for work, Fakhrul added.

He said, "Today, the core aim of Tarique Rahman behind these youth rallies is simple -- you, the youth, have awakened, you have defeated the fascist, you have forced her to leave the country. Now, reclaim your rights with courage, my friends. Stay calm but vigilant -- every conspiracy, every plot must be overcome."

Speaking at the rally as the special guest, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the youth, you have fought to restore democracy and the people's rights. In the struggle for these rights, countless lives have been lost over the past 15 years. Thousands of party activists were murdered and forcibly disappeared. Around 60 to 70 lakh activists were falsely implicated in cases. Some of them died in police custody; many had to flee their homes and took shelter in the paddy fields and remote places, but the movement never stopped.

"For which we have sacrificed so much to return the ownership of Bangladesh to its people; democracy must not be held hostage in anyone's hands. But now we are witnessing some signs of that. Therefore, no group can hold the people hostage for their own interests. If anyone has a political vision or programme for the country, they must present it before the people. No one should be allowed to seize the country's future, ignoring its citizens."

Khasru added that they now heard about the new political arrangements, but this was already proposed by Tarique Rahman and Khaleda Zia through their 31-point reform agenda earlier. "We have visited every district, all corners of the country. Tell me, has any other party presented their reform proposals before the people as we have done?"

"In the upcoming election, we will seek the people's mandate based on the 31-point agenda. If the people of Bangladesh give us the mandate, a national government will be formed according to this framework. That national government will include all who sacrificed their lives on the streets alongside us -- those who were sent to jail, abducted or falsely accused. We will include everyone," he said.

Former Bangladesh cricket captain Tamim Iqbal also spoke at the rally.

Naming several young BNP leaders, Tamim said that he regularly speaks to BNP leaders for the welfare of the sports. "We discuss how we can restore Chattogram's sporting glory to its former status.

He added that he was confident that when the youth get the opportunity, they would do their utmost to advance sports in Chattogram -- whether in cricket, football, badminton, or any other disciplines.

Citing his health condition, the former skipper said, "I'm happy to receive your love today. As you know, I have health issues and am recovering slowly. I shouldn't speak too much."

Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Zilani presided over the event.