Conspiracy afoot to delay national polls: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said that a "well-orchestrated conspiracy" is underway to delay the upcoming national election and deprive citizens of their voting rights.
"Today is one of the most crucial and significant moments. Through the bloodshed of thousands of students and people, a new opportunity has emerged -- to establish democracy and to build a modern state free from fascism. And yet, we see a dark shadow looms," he said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. He made the remarks while virtually addressing a joint meeting of the BNP and its affiliated bodies from Thailand, where he is recovering after undergoing an eye surgery.
A certain group has begun engaging in divisive politics, Fakhrul said. "A plot has begun to pit various government institutions against each other."
The BNP leader accused certain infiltrators within the government of plotting to mislead the country and divert it from its democratic path.
In this context, Fakhrul called on party leaders and activists to stay alert and stand against any kind of conspiracy.
" ...BNP leaders and activists must ensure that no one can undermine the country's independence and sovereignty or suppress democracy through autocracy and fascism."
The meeting was held at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office with the participation of top leaders from the party's various associate bodies.
At the joint meeting, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced an eight-day programme to commemorate the 44th martyrdom anniversary of its founder and late president Ziaur Rahman from May 26.
At another event, Rizvi alleged that the interim government, like ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, continues to make excuses over holding the next national polls.
"They [the government] are straying from their assigned responsibilities and engaging in other matters. If they were working honestly, they would have already announced the election date," he said while talking to reporters after visiting BNP activist Rakibul Hasan in Khilkhet, who was injured during the July uprising.
Speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said, "I'm hearing that some people are now demanding local government elections under a caretaker government. That is not possible. An interim government is formed solely for the purpose of holding the national election. We all know that conducting local government elections takes over a year. Saying such things only means an attempt is being made to delay the national election."
He added that various obstacles were being created in the way of restoring democracy.
Comments