BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir marked the outgoing year as a "victory for fascism".
“Democracy has been banished from the country in the outgoing year. It's the year when people’s rights were snatched and fascism triumphed,” Fakhrul told media after paying his respects to party founder Ziaur Rahman at his grave in Dhaka on Tuesday (Dec 31).
Flanked by leaders, activists of the party’s student front Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Fakhrul paid tribute to the party founder on the 41th founding anniversary of the BNP's student affiliate.
Hoping Chhatra Dal will bring back the party’s exiled leader Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul said, “Chhatra Dal will wage a strong movement to press the release of party chief Khaleda Zia.”
“The movement will unite students and people to free democracy from shackles,” he added.
On the upcoming Dhaka city polls, he said, “No free, fair and transparent election can take place under this government and the Election Commission. BNP is participating as we see it as an opportunity to reach the people.”