The government is doing everything in its power to eliminate us from the political arena, alleged BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
“The ruling party is misusing the state power to continue attacks and arrests to keep people from going to the voting centers,” he told the media on Saturday (Dec 15) at Bogura.
Fakhrul said that BNP will remain on the field and fight despite the many obstacles because they know that the people are with them.
Addressing the voter the senior BNP leader said, “Your vote can change everything. It can ensure that Khaleda Zia’s freedom and Tarique Rahman’s return to the country. People can finally breathe free.”
He said that people are vying for change and paddy sheaf has unprecedented popularity in the seven Bogura constituencies. “If the people march forward, no evil forces can prevail.”
Alamgir further accused the Election Commission of “carrying out the government’s orders” and not creating a level playing field for the upcoming polls.
“The administration is not neutral and helping the government to win the polls,” he said.
He reiterated BNP’s allegations that the wrongful arrests are still continuing despite the government’s many assurances and added, “Not only me, but leaders like Dr Kamal Hossain and ASM Abdur Rab are being attacked as well.”
Drawing on a time when BNP was in power, Fakhrul said, “There was a time when Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina called a 173-day strike in collaboration with Jatiya Party and Jamaat, demanding a caretaker government.”
“We did take the people’s wishes into account and gave in to their demands and the next three elections were not subject to any questions.”
“But in 2008, her government scrapped the caretaker government altogether and in 2014 formed a one sided government with the BNP boycotting the polls.”
Responding to queries about what actions the BNP will take if people are not allowed to vote, he said, “You will get to know on that day.”
BNP’s central committee will sit with the EC in order to discuss the current situation and demand that the army be given magistracy power, he added.