Dhaka, Dec 20 – BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday claimed that the forthcoming general elections have already been questioned as, what he said, conspiracy is on to deprive the people of their voting rights. Speaking at a view exchange meeting with professional leaders, he said they are trying to make the people aware of all kinds of injustice, wrongs and repression as they are the owner of the state.
“We believe that we will win the battle. Because the languages and believes in the eyes of the people that we have seen say that our victory is imminent,” he said.
The BNP leader held the view exchange meeting at chairperson’s political office in Gulshan nine days ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Mirza Alamgir said the election would prove whether the country would exist as a democratic state or autocracy would prevail and it would also decide whether the people would be able to enjoy the freedom of expression.
Criticizing the Prime Minister about the complaint of printing ballot papers by the opposition, he said it is their (government’s) task and said the government was speaking about printing advance ballot papers to rigging votes by them.
“Printing ballot papers is your task. You have that capability and you will do it. We thank you (premier) speak in advance about it,” he added.
Mirza Alamgir, however, said that this election would reflect the hopes and aspirations of the nation and once they would elect their representatives.
Describing the context of cancelling the caretaker government system, he said the government set up everything in accordance with their willingness and sent BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in jail in a ‘false case.’
He said they are taking part in the elections as part of the directives of the former premier after formation of Jatiya Oikyafront.
The BNP secretary general alleged that the government is hatching conspiracy anew after observing the wave of the sheaf of paddy, the poll symbol of the party.
He accused the government of filing fictitious cases against the BNP leaders and activists across the country after they announced to take part in the polls and the premier did not keep her word of not arresting the opposition leader after the announcement of the poll schedule.
The BNP leader termed the EC as ‘thutu Jagannath’ (toothless) and said there is no limit to repression and harassment on their party leaders and activists. “We don’t know where we will stand,” he said.
Prof Sadrul Amin, Prof Yusuf Haider, Prof Borhanuddin, DAB president Dr Azizul Islam, DR AZM Zahid Hossain, journalists- M Mahfuzullah, Shawkat Mahmud, among others, were present at the meeting. – Staff Reporter
