Dhaka: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, we are still unable to find a clear direction on the path to return to democracy.

He said this at an iftar mahfil organized by BNP at the Ladies Club in the capital on Wednesday (March 19) evening. The party organized this iftar in honor of various political parties and prominent figures. At the beginning of his speech, Mirza Fakhrul greeted the guests invited by the party.

He said, the aspirations of the people of the country, the struggle for democracy that was started by 15-year-olds, the aspirations that were created through the student-people's uprising in July-August, are truly the aspirations of a democratic Bangladesh. To implement that aspiration, we still need the unity that was developed in the past. Now we need to resolve the problems through discussions among ourselves.

Mirza Fakhrul said that we undoubtedly view the reform questions that have come up in a very positive light, saying, "We gave 31 points in the national reform in 2022, we formulated it with all our political partners. We clearly said that if we are elected by the people, we will form a national government. The national government will implement these 31 points."

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "The reform proposals in various sectors have already reached the political parties. I request them to observe them in depth and give their opinions so that we can move forward with everyone."

Stating that there is no alternative to going to the path of democracy, the BNP Secretary General said, "I am clearly talking about early elections so that a government elected by the people can be formed. The elected government will make the necessary reforms."

At the BNP's Iftar Mahfil, Jamaat –e Islam Nayeb-e-Amir Dr. Abdullah Mohammad Taher and leaders of various parties including National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam, and Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna spoke. 

Commenting that there is a conspiracy again, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has called on everyone to remain united. He said that BNP is being put on a media trial like 1/11. Propaganda is being spread against the party, so now the cooperation of online comrades is needed.

He made this allegation while speaking as the chief guest at a prayer and iftar mahfil in honor of nationalist online activists at a hotel in the capital on Monday (March 17).

The program was organized under the supervision of BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku. A documentary on 31 points was presented in it.

The BNP Acting Chairman said, if there is a transparent and fair election in the future, the more the BNP's support for the votes of the majority of the people of Bangladesh has become brighter, the more I see that BNP is being put on a media trial. On Monday morning, I saw some incidents in some newspapers in Bangladesh, after seeing them, I took the news to the central office (BNP central office in Nayapaltan). They told me that the incident happened in one way, but it was presented in the newspaper in another way.

He also said that a group or those who have conspired against the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the nationalist forces, and at the same time against the independence and sovereignty of the country; from their position and through the media houses that have relations with them, they are trying to create a similar scenario as the BNP was faced with a media trial during 1/11.

Tarique Rahman also said that the conspiracy that was against the people of the country, the foundation of democracy and the country has started again. This is not just talk. Such an incident is developing day by day. Such a conspiracy is slowly developing against the existence, sovereignty, democracy and nationalist forces of Bangladesh.

Tarique Rahman also said that BNP will support an election in which the people can express their opinion by voting. He also commented that since the dictatorship period until now, there has been no government accountable to the people in Bangladesh.

The acting chairman of BNP further said, a speaker here talked about new elections, what are their thoughts? We still don't know these correctly. I think, I believe that you (online activists) are able to motivate new voters by providing them with all the arguments and facts.

Addressing the online activists, he said, since the dictatorship was oppressing the people and democracy in Bangladesh, you have organized and highlighted the people and opposition leaders and activists - the war you have waged, due to which you also had to go through various atrocities and torture. I sincerely thank you for the situation you have faced.

The event, chaired by Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, was attended by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed, Acting Chairman's Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin, Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie and online activists.

When asked whether the UN Secretary-General had made any comments on the reform, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, the UN Secretary-General has not said anything about it, it is our internal matter. In fact, I don’t really understand what this roundtable is about.

He said this after a roundtable meeting at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital’s Shahbagh on Saturday (March 15) afternoon. Members of the National Consensus Commission and political leaders were present at this roundtable meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Mirza Fakhrul said, basically, the commissions that have been formed for the reform have been informed to the UN Secretary-General. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has informed about this matter. We have said the same things that we have been saying in our statements.

The BNP Secretary General said, Reforms must be done, I am talking about those reforms first of all. But those reforms should be done as soon as possible. What we have said is basically to make reforms on election-centric issues, then hold quick elections, then make additional reforms through a parliament. Reforms are an ongoing process that is what we have said."Asked whether he had mentioned any time frame for the elections, he said, "We do not need to mention any time frame. Reforms are our internal matter. We are talking to the reform commissions; we are in touch with them. We are giving everything they want. We have already had a meeting with them. Why are we going to give our time frame to the UN Secretary General?

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that miscreants in the society are getting exposed in various ways due to the slow and lax behavior of the grassroots administration.

He said these things at a press conference organized at the party's central office in Nayapaltan on Friday (March 14).

At the same time, Rizvi said that peace and social solidarity have been destroyed in the past 16 years of misrule. An attempt has been made to make the society stink by spreading mischief. Sheikh Hasina indulged in all kinds of filth to keep her throne unshakable through the grand festival of grabbing other people's land, looting and money laundering. During her rule, killings, disappearances, murders, rapes, torture of women and children, unspeakable torture of political leaders and activists of the opposition party, the state and society were so widespread that it became dangerous for civilized, decent, and decent people to live.

The BNP leader said that because of that, the perpetrators of torture of women and children are still waiting for an opportunity. Recently, the rape of 8-year-old Achiya by her sister's father-in-law at her sister's in-laws' house in Magura, and her death yesterday after a few days of treatment, have left the entire nation in a state of bewildering pain. The eyes of the entire nation are filled with tears at this tragic incident. Humanity, morality, fairness, and justice have been made invisible during the long Awami League misrule. Most of the perpetrators were members of Sheikh Hasina's party because they have prioritized self-service over public service.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, the collective voice of the people is to ensure justice, but if it is absent, the acceptability of the interim government will continue to decrease. Justice will be ensured only if a strong framework of the rule of law is created. If the administration is not competent, efficient, just, honest and humane, the incidence of injustice and murder, injuries, and oppression of women and children in the society will increase geometrically. The rule of law should be enforced immediately and the real perpetrators of the crime should be punished. We are once again strongly demanding that exemplary punishment be ensured for the murderers in the death of the child Achiya, who was raped.

He said, BNP has collected information on incidents of torture, rape and murder of women and children nationwide and formed a "legal and health support cell for oppressed women and children".

BNP's Legal Affairs Secretary Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Rafiqul Islam and many others were present at the press conference.