Staff Correspondent

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called upon the government to hold the national election as early as possible, saying that there is no alternative but to hold an election for the country’s overall peace and stability.

“Being able to eat on a full stomach twice a day is the biggest reform for people. Please ensure people’s peace by holding the national election immediately,” he said.

While addressing a mammoth rally at Lakshan Upazila of Cumilla on Thursday, Fakhrul said that his party supports the interim government’s efforts to carry out necessary reforms to hold the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner.

Criticising the government for being preoccupied with reforms, Fakhrul said that the common people do not understand these reforms and that chaos or anarchy will bring no benefit to the nation.

BNP has come under criticism for its frequent calls for holding the national election immediately but there is no alternative but to push the demand for the sake of the country’s peace and stability, Fakhrul said.

About the role of other political parties over the election, he said all political parties should unite and raise the same demand for holding the national election without any delay.

He also blasted the ousted Awami League government for destroying the country’s economy, politics and electoral system by holding dummy elections and said the party was retaining power for a long period without votes.

The situation has changed as hundreds of leaders and activists of BNP sacrificed their lives in the struggle to overcome it, he said.

The defeated Awami League disappeared around 7000 leaders and activists of BNP and it has introduced acts of enforced disappearance by kidnapping two famous BNP leaders from Cumilla, alleged Fakhrul.

Deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sent BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to jail as she rejected Awami League’s non-inclusive and widely boycotted elections, Fakhrul said.

He also came down hard on a section of people within the government for underestimating BNP’s contribution to the recent oust government movement and said his party prefers the government’s overall success.

About the financial reality, the BNP leader said the country's economy is being affected adversely as local and foreign investors have lost their interest in investing in Bangladesh.

Urging his party’s leaders and activists to remain vigilant, Fakhrul cautioned them to prevent any subversive activities ahead of the national election.

He also noted that there is a recurring trend in Bangladesh where chaos and anarchy spread across the country before elections.

About India’s stance over Sheikh Hasina, Fakhrul said the ousted autocrat is engaged in hatching conspiracies against Bangladesh staying in the neighbouring country.

“India will never get Bangladesh on its side if it believes Sheikh Hasina is its lone friend,” he said.