The BNP paid homage to the intellectuals martyred in 1971 on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, laying wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur on Thursday morning.
BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan and Vice Chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, among other central leaders, were present at the time.
The BNP leaders first went to the party chairperson's office in Gulshan before arriving at the memorial.
Moyeen said the Awami League government had destroyed the country by establishing one-party rule.
He expressed the BNP's commitment to restoring people's voting rights and emphasized that there would be no election on January 7, only seat-sharing.
Millions of people died martyrs for democracy in 1971, he said, before adding that the BNP would continue its fight for the restoration of democracy.
“Paying respect to the intellectuals, we appeal to the government to leave the path of conflict. The people of this country love peace and they want to live in peace...step down for fair elections to end the political deadlock peacefully,” Moyeen said.
He said the BNP has long been on the streets and will be there until the restoration of the people’s right to vote.
The BNP leader bemoaned that though over 50 years have elapsed since the independence of the country, people don't have freedom of speech, voting rights and democratic rights as one-party rule has been established by the Awami League regime.
He called upon the government to face the people by leaving the path of restrictions, repression, and oppression. “Restore all the fundamental rights and hold a fair and credible election. If you win a fair election, I will be the first to congratulate you. But the reality is, you are afraid of the people of the country and afraid of fair elections.”
