Mirza Abbas, a member of the BNP standing committee, has expressed his party's belief that elections will take place in December, as announced by the chief adviser, noting he does not believe elections will be further delayed.
He made these remarks while speaking to reporters after paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar on Wednesday, on the occasion of Independence Day.
In response to a question about whether there is any political discord among parties, the senior BNP leader said: "There is no discord; there is a clash of interests. Every party has its own ideological stance, and everyone has their own viewpoint, from which they speak. I would not call this discord."
"If someone calls it discord, I would say that if the time comes when national unity is needed to protect the independence and sovereignty, we will all unite."
He continued: "There is no mistake in that. At present, we may be speaking separately for ideological and political interests, but when the time comes, the people of Bangladesh will unite."
Mirza Abbas added: "Today, I remember the founder of our independence, martyred president Ziaur Rahman, who declared independence and then fought for the country’s freedom. Even after 54 years of independence, we had momentarily lost the true taste of freedom."
"But after August 5, we have regained it. I remember the martyrs of 1971 who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. I offer my condolences to the families of those who are still alive. On this day, on behalf of Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, I extend my greetings to the people of the country."
Mirza Abbas said: "Just recently, through the student movement in July, we experienced a new taste of freedom by driving out the autocrats. Many call it the second independence. But today, on Independence Day, it proves that there is no second independence in Bangladesh."
"Those who claim so want to diminish the importance of Independence Day and had no role in the independence of 1971. Therefore, they want to belittle this day."
He further said: "Today, I want to pray for Begum Khaleda Zia. I also pray that we can preserve this freedom and that our future generations will be able to hold on to this independence."
At the time, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP leader Amanullah Aman, and other party leaders and activists were present with him.
