Dhaka – Accusing the government of trying to burry democracy, BNP
leaders on Saturday urged the government to back off from its stance
to hold one-sided polls and thus avert dire consequences.
The Liberation War spirit was to establish democracy in the country,
but now Awami League is going to kill democracy and it wants to burry
democracy by holding unilateral polls, the leaders said.
They also said they want to tell the government to stop the one-sided
polls and to quit forthwith, or else, the consequences will not be
good.
The BNP came up with the remarks at a discussion organised by BNP at
National Press Club Auditorium in the city, marking the Martyred
Intellectuals Day.
Former VC of Dhaka University Prof Emajuddin Ahmed said, “It’s not
possible to exercise democracy by curbing democratic rights and
freedom of expressions. In the Liberation War, the brave sons of the
country had made the supreme sacrifice for a democratic state and
society. But today the government has made democracy a hostage.”
Prof Emajuddin blamed the government’s stubbornness for the political
instability and crisis in the country.
BNP vice-president Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said, “Awami League
had killed democracy in 1975 by forming one-party Baksal. This time
the party is killing democracy for the second time as 130 candidates
have already been elected unopposed.”
“We didn’t liberate the country for the slavery of a neighboring
country. Bangladesh will keep its head high forever. Now time has come
to participate in the second liberation war to save democracy,” he
added.
BNP chairperson adviser Khandaker Mahbub Hossain said, “Stop playing
the game of one-sided polls, or else, the movement which will be waged
after December 17 will quicken your fall.”
Dhaka University Prof Dr Mahbub Ullah and BNP vice-president Selima
Rahman, among others, spoke at the programme held with party
vice-president Shah Moazzem Hossain in the chair. – UNB
