BNP ridicules AL’s fair election desire

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said Awami League’s desire for a fair election is like the “devil listening to the scriptures”.

“The Awami League general secretary yesterday (Thursday) said the Prime Minister wants a free and fair election in the country so that everyone can vote. It’s like the devil listening to the scriptures,” he said.

Speaking at a human-chain programme, the BNP leader said Awami League is now talking about a fair election after “destroying” the election system and three national elections, UNB reports.

Fakhrul said the election system has now reached such a state in the country that a Shariatpur MP said he would select the chairmen and members in the UP polls.

“We can’t imagine such a scenario of our country. We fought for democracy in 1971, but they (govt) have now established a one-party rule by throwing that democracy into the Bay of Bengal.”

Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, protesting the growing price hike of daily essentials.

Fakhrul alleged that the current government cannot tolerate dissent and criticisms at all.

He claimed that police attacked their party leaders and activists from behind without any provocation while they were returning home after a peace rally in front of their Nayapltan central office on Tuesday.

The BNP leader said the law enforcers charged batons and opened fire on their leaders and activists, leaving many of them injured.

“But cases are now being filed against our hundreds of leaders and activists. Why are you so sacred?  You fear us as you’ve lost the ground beneath your feet. You won’t even get the escape route the day people will take to the streets,” he said.

Fakhrul called upon the administration not to take a stand against people by abetting the government that has been indulging in ‘plundering’ and ‘anti-people activities.

He said ruling party leaders are becoming millionaires through ‘corruption and looting’ while people are getting poorer.

The BNP leader said people are going through immense sufferings as the prices of essential commodities, including that of rice, pulses, eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, kerosene oil and edible oil are continuously soaring since the government has lost control over the market.

He said the ruling party business syndicates are hiking the prices of the essentials and making a quick buck. “People are now living in a suffocating situation in the country… there’s now no alternative to waging a strong movement to get rid of it.”