Staff Correspondent

Stating that there is no alternative to preserving the anti-fascist national unity, BNP on Saturday urged the interim government to uphold the highest level of impartiality so that no quarter can make undue political gains.

Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also said it is natural for the Army to cooperate in the election, as they have done in the past.

“The existing anti-fascist national unity is the main driving force of this country and its people. This nation must move forward by keeping this unity intact. There is no alternative to it,” he said.

The BNP leader said the practice of this unity must be made the political culture of the country and no step should be taken that destroys or cracks the anti-fascist national unity and mass unity.

“So, the interim government must maintain the highest degree of neutrality. A vigilant eye must be kept on ensuring that the agenda of any quarter to gain political benefits does not become part of the government's action plan,” he said.

Fakhrul observed that the key priority at present is to establish a non-discriminatory state and social system, in line with the aspirations of the martyrs of the nearly 16-year-long anti-fascist democratic movement and the July mass uprising by upholding national unity against fascism.

“All our reform efforts will be focused on establishing a robust democratic political government based on broader national consensus—this is the expectation of the nation,” the BNP leader said.

In the continuation of the bloody anti-fascist movement and struggle for almost 16 years, he said the people of Bangladesh were freed from fascism through the unprecedented student-led mass uprising in July-August 2024.

“In line with the aspirations of the mass uprising, the people of this country are eagerly awaiting the realisation of their dreams for a strong democratic state based on equality, human dignity, and social justice, free from discrimination,” the BNP leader said.

When asked about the role of the military, he said, “The Army has cooperated in tARJ/elections before, and it is only natural that it will do so this time as well. We certainly have confidence in the Army.”