Acknowledging that BNP made some errors during its movement to resist the January 5 elections, party standing committee member Rafiqul Islam Miah has asked BNP leaders and activists to prepare themselves for an upcoming movement to topple the government from office.
“The government has been successful in holding the January 5 elections due to failures on the part of some of our leaders. The election did not take place in 154 constituencies,” he said, while addressing a programme at the National Press Club in the capital yesterday.
The BNP leader also asked the party leaders and activists to get ready to make the utmost sacrifice to make the government-toppling movement a success.
“You (leaders and activists) cannot leave the field fearing repression and jail. We have to keep in mind that the future of democracy will fall into darkness if we fail to oust the government through this movement,” he said.
Issuing a note of warning, Miah said the government would be forced to step down if it does not hold a new election under a non-partisan government.
“The government has been holding state power without any vote. Now they are planning to stay in power till 2041. So, there is no alternative but to hold elections under a non-partisan government. Otherwise, a movement would be waged to oust the government,” he added.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has called the party’s standing committee meeting on August 10 to finalise the next course of action.
Rafiqul alleged that the government had assumed state power without the people’s mandate and formulated a broadcast policy to control the mass media, including the private television channels.
“I think, this policy is against Article 41 of the constitution. The Awami League will snatch the freedom of the media through this policy. We have to protect it and journalists need to set aside all differences and come together,” he added.