People who are opposing elections under a caretaker government are enemies of the public of Bangladesh, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam has said.
“The government's threats will not work this time as countrymen will not return home until their voting rights are restored,” he said as the chief guest at the divisional rally of BNP in Sylhet's Government Alia Madrasa field on Saturday.
Mirza Fakhrul also called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and dissolve parliament and establish a caretaker government.
He said the restoration of the caretaker government system is the only way to resolve the country's political crisis.
Fakhrul also called for the participation of all politicians, and organizations with this demand.
“The prime minister has issued a threat that we'll face the fate of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh if we try to wage a movement. We would like to say that people have woken up this time. So, these threats won't work this time. People who have taken to the streets, won't return home without realizing their demands,” Fakhrul said.
Later Fakhrul also mentioned that Bangladesh's people are baffled by the recent hike in essential items, including sugar, flour, and oil.
“Farmers cannot even feed their children with eggs. Previously, rice was Tk10, but now it is Tk80," he said.
He also alleged that people are fighting against the government for their rights to food and vote.
Focus BanglaThe BNP leader said their party's main goal is to restore people's rights that “have been lost, including the right to vote.”
“We'll establish a government of people through people's votes. Our movement can't be stopped by opening fire and gunning down our leaders and activists,” he added.
Referring to the ruling party leaders' remarks that the election will be held as per the constitution, he said their party does not accept the charter that was amended by the current government, reports UNB.
He said that the government has annulled the caretaker government system using the judiciary, creating a scope for holding the election under a partisan government.
Fakhrul said the caretaker government that was included in the constitution by Khaleda Zia, must be restored to ensure a credible national election. “No election will be held in Bangladesh without the caretaker government.”
The rally, organized by Sylhet city unit of BNP, formally began at 11:10am.
Despite the transport strike and other obstacles, the rally venue was teeming with the opposition leaders and activists since Friday night, as they gathered there in advance from adjacent districts.
Police and other security officials have been deployed around the rally venue and at different points of the town to prevent any untoward incident.
According to Sylhet Metropolitan Police, 19 check-posts have been installed at the entry points of Sylhet city and hundreds of plainclothes policemen will perform their duties on Saturday to maintain the law and order situation.