Stating that the correct time has yet to come to go for an anti-government movement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said it would not be possible to stage a mass upsurge without the active participation of the young generation.
"Many of you ask: why is BNP not calling for a movement? BNP will surely do it when the party thinks it is the right time for waging a movement," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, he said: "Students and workers must play a big role in the movement, as they did in the past. A mass upsurge is necessary to defeat the current regime by mobilizing the youth."
The Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) arranged the program at the National Press Club in Dhaka, on the occasion of the 40th death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
Recalling the role of students and youths in ousting HM Ershad in the 90s, Fakhrul said people would get united if the young generation came forward to bringing about a change in power.
He, however, said the reality of the 90s and that of 2021 were not the same.
"There have been lots of changes in the course of time. We have to move on with the trend of change, or else we'll never be successful."
The BNP leader said one thing was clear that no election could be held in a free and fair manner under the current government and the Election Commission.
"So, they have to go... then, there must come a change through an election under a neutral government and a neutral election commission. We, the country's people, have to do this. Neither America nor China, nor India will bring this change for us."
Fakhrul alleged that the ruling party leaders were indulging in “widespread plundering” and they were buying houses and making shopping malls in different countries, including Canada, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
"No one keeps money in the country anymore, as they know the time will come when everyone will be made accountable to people."
Mentioning that the government had completely failed to deal with the coronavirus crisis, he said the government's only goal was to plunder and steal public money through corruption.
He said Health Minister Zahid Maleque was present during the signing of a deal with Regent Hospital, but later only hospital chairman Shahed Karim was sent to jail for the Covid test scam.
"When Shahed can be taken to jail, why not the minister? He [minister] is equally responsible for it," the BNP leader said.
