Charging the government with snatching people’s basic rights, including the franchise, BNP on Tuesday said the regime has besieged democracy with the power of arms.
“The current regime has no constitutional legitimacy. They’ve snatched all the rights of people, including that of vote. Assuming office with the power of arms, they’ve also kept democracy besieged,” said BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.He made the allegation at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office after a joint meeting of BNP and its associate bodies.
The BNP spokesman also announced a two-day programme of the party and a weeklong one of its associate bodies at the press conference.
Addressing the press conference, Fakhrul said people had liberated the country with an aim to build a democratic Bangladesh. “But Awami League had annihilated democracy in the past by establishing a one-party rule, Baksal. Now they’re out to re-establish the one-party rule under a different cover.”
He said their party have decided to celebrate this year’s Independence Day with a great importance as the country’s democracy is now at stake.
As per the programme, the party will arrange a discussion meeting marking the great Independence and National Day at the Institution of Engineers in the capital at 3:00pm on March 25.
Besides, BNP leaders and activists, led by its chairperson Khaleda Zia, will place wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar at 6am on March 26 and at the grave of late president Ziaur Rahman at 8:00am on the day.
The party’s associate bodies, including Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Sramik Dal, Mohila Dal, Tanti Dal and Ulema Dal, have also taken up a weeklong programme from March 23 to mark the day, Fakhrul said.
He also said Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal will arrange a rally of freedom fighters at the Institution of Engineers on March 20. Khaleda will be present at the meeting as the chief guest.
Chaired by Mirza Fakhrul, the joint meeting was attended by joint-secretaries general, organising secretaries, secretaries and president and general secretaries of front and associate organisations of the party. – UNB
