BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged the people to vote on election day and guard polling centres so no one can sabotage the 11th general election.
Fakhrul was speaking at an election campaign program of BNP in Bogra Sadar on Friday.
He said: “The country’s situation is not favourable at the moment and the government is trying to foil the elections. But they must keep in mind that we will not back out from the election, no matter how much they torture us.”
He urged his party men to remain united during the polls, slated for December 30.
Fakhrul said: “I did not come here for myself. Rather, I have come to contest the polls as Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman asked me to represent them.
BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Adv AKM Mahbubur Rahman, Bogra District BNP Joint Secretary Taha Uddin Nahin, and District BNP President Saiful Islam among others, spoke at the program.
At the start of the program, unrest and shouting took place when Adv Mahbub’s name was announced before district president Saiful’s name.
District Swechhashebok Dal President, Shah Mehedi Hasan Himu, snatched the microphone in front of senior leaders and in Fakhrul’s presence, and started shouting in front of everyone because of the matter.
Felling embarrassed, Fakhrul said: “If you start grouping within the party, you will never be able to release our chairperson from jail and Tarique Rahman will also not be able to return to the country.”
Fakhrul said further: “Awami League knows quite well if a free and fair election takes place they will lose, and that is why they are attacking Dr Kamal, myself, and other BNP people all over the country.”
Pointing at BNP activists, Fakhrul said: “If Dr Kamal, ASM Abdur Rab, and Mahmudur Rahman Manna can work for the ‘sheaf of paddy,’ then why can’t you? You have to forget all differences between yourselves and go to every household and ask to vote for the ‘sheaf of paddy’ Symbol.
“This government is scared of Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman. That is why, even after being granted bail by the Supreme Court, they are illegally holding our chairperson in jail,” Fakhrul added.
Earlier in the day, after offering jummah salat at the Baitur Rahman Central Masjid, he asked for prayers and blessings from everyone and started his election campaign.
On Saturday, from 10am to 7pm, Fakhrul will also campaign in different unions and hold road rallies at important Bogra locations.
He will also hold a conference at the District Council Auditorium with the BNP candidates of Bogra’s seven constituencies, leaders of the 20-party alliance, and Jatiya Oikya Front nominated candidates.
