Those who do not accept 1971 do not have the right to stand for election, BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu has said.
He said this at a discussion meeting on the occasion of the 46th death anniversary of Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia at the Jahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club on Tuesday (March 11).
At the discussion meeting, Barkat Ullah Bulu said, those who formed the party against discrimination suddenly made a statement, saying that they want to return to the pre-1947 situation. They do not accept 1971. Those who do not accept 1971, those who do not accept the great liberation war, do not accept martyr President Ziaur Rahman either. 1971 is the main pillar of our independence. 1971 is this Bangladesh that was achieved with the blood of 30 lakh martyrs of Bangladesh. Therefore, those who do not accept 1971, I think, have no right to ask the people of this country for votes and they have no right to stand for election.
He further said, Sheikh Hasina has taken away the democracy of the people of this country for 15 years. People have lost their democratic rights. People have not been able to elect their own representatives anywhere, from local government to national elections. Sheikh Hasina has elected whoever she wanted. No fascist government stronger than Sheikh Hasina has come to this country. We (BNP) have been protesting on the streets for 17 long years to remove this fascist government.
Bulu said, after August 5, the people of the country thought that an election would come very soon. Through this election, the people would be able to elect their representatives, a government would be formed. If this country has to be rescued, reformed, and repaired from where Sheikh Hasina has taken Bangladesh, then there is no other way except a national government.
BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Chairperson of the Advisory Council of the Chairperson Abdus Salam, and other members were also present at the discussion meeting chaired by Ziaul Haque Milu, President of the Bhashani Memorial Society and Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia Death Anniversary Celebration Committee, and moderated by General Secretary Nancy Rahman.