BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that his party does not believe in a politics of vengeance or retaliation. “We do not want to follow the path of revenge that the Awami League has taken by filing indiscriminate cases. Rather, if we come to power, we will withdraw all false or politically motivated cases filed against innocent Awami League members,” he said. He made these remarks on Tuesday (November 11) while addressing a views exchange meeting at the Shapla Government Primary School field in Mohammadpur Union of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila.
Mirza Fakhrul said, “On August 5 last year, our leader Begum Khaleda Zia clearly stated that we do not seek revenge. We want peace, prosperity, and a developed Bangladesh. That is the path we wish to follow.”
He further said, “I want to tell Sheikh Hasina — you cannot suppress the people through oppression, torture, and fear. You failed in the past, and you will fail again in the future. Rather, you should now apologize for the killings and persecution carried out under your rule.”
Expressing hope that BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to the country in December, Fakhrul said, “The people of Bangladesh are eagerly waiting for Tarique Rahman’s return. Under his leadership, they want to restore democracy in the country.”
The BNP leader also alleged that several political parties are trying to impose the Proportional Representation (PR) system on the people. He claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami and a few other parties are creating confusion among the public in the name of PR.
“By taking away people’s voting rights, the government is introducing new tactics that are nothing but conspiracies to destroy democracy,” said Fakhrul.
He also stated that BNP supports holding a national referendum and the general election on the same day. “If the referendum and national election are held simultaneously, people will be able to express their opinions freely and fairly. We support that process,” he added.
The meeting was presided over by former Thakurgaon district BNP vice president Md. Al Mamun Alam. District BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin, General Secretary Paigam Ali, and leaders and activists of various BNP-affiliated organizations were also present.