BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said on Saturday that some people now treat the very mention of elections as a crime.
Referring to those who argue that no mass uprising has occurred to bring any particular party to power, he asserted that elections are indispensable for maintaining the country’s democratic order.
He made the statement while addressing a memorial meeting as the chief guest, held at the Zahurul Hossain Hall of the National Press Club in the capital, marking the 16th death anniversary of BNP leader Sunil Gupta.
Shamsuzzaman Dudu said: “We were on the streets for 15–16 years during the previous fascist regime. We are still on the streets. We continue to support the current government.”
He added: “But if we see that this government is trying to cling to power through undemocratic means by avoiding elections, that support will no longer remain. To realize elections, the BNP will choose the streets. The people will see what happens then.”
In his speech as chair of the same event, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapan said: “We consider Dr Muhammad Yunus to be a very wise person. But some people are prescribing him ways to keep the country away from elections. We believe he will not accept that.”
He added: “It will not be possible to lull the people into sleep by suspending the election process. Power must be handed over to a government elected by the people’s mandate through an election.”
Among others who spoke at the memorial meeting were BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Nazmul Haque Nannu, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser and Chairman of the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front Kanti Sarkar, and valiant freedom fighter Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu.
