Mirza Fakhrul worries about return to extremism
Staff Reporter :
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged there is a conspiracy going on. That conspiracy aims to remove moderate or liberal politics and replace it with extremist politics. This will be extremely harmful for Bangladesh.
“We must work together to establish liberal democracy,” Mirza Fakhrul said at a book launch event held at the National Press Club.
The BNP leader said, “At this moment we are waiting-we are hoping to receive a roadmap for democratic resurgence. Although a roadmap was announced yesterday, everyone is waiting for it. If the political parties, institutions, and the government now proceed in the right direction, we will be able to reach a certain goal.”
He said, “A few days ago I spoke of frustration, and some people criticized me for that. They said, ‘Why should you talk about despair? We get inspired by your words, we feel motivated.’
I told them that at this stage of my life, when I see that the dreams, the struggles, and the battles we fought for are somehow fading away because of a handful of miscreants, it is hard not to feel disheartened. Of course, politics will have differences of opinion, diverse thoughts and views. But the current atmosphere is leaving our people utterly confused.
If you ask them, they say, ‘Will there even be an election?’ A kind of uncertainty, fear, and despair arises-will it really happen?”
Mirza Fakhrul emphasized, “I always say, elections will be held, and they will be held within the timeframe that has already been announced. There is no alternative. If the elections are postponed or not held, the nation will suffer tremendously, and the possibility of fascism returning will increase greatly.
At various times, in various ways, some people are trying to bring back fascism into discussion, and even abroad this is being worked on. That’s why holding the election quickly is essential.”
He said, “It was us who first talked about reforms-BNP was the first to raise this issue. Whatever changes have taken place in Bangladesh, their beginning came through BNP. At the very birth of Bangladesh, it was Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman who declared the Liberation War.”
Calling on party activists, he said, “My only request to those who are involved with BNP is this-do not give others any opportunity to say that BNP is doing something wrong. This is very important.”
He further said, “Do not think that you have already come to power. Many among you are thinking so, and that very mindset is preventing you from controlling those elements of misdeeds.
In reality, you have not even come close to power yet. There are still many conspiracies and plots. To overcome them, with unity and good deeds, you must reach out to the people.”
Addressing leaders and activists, he said, “Think deeply about how to take the country towards the better, how to purify our minds further, how we can work for the welfare of the people. The people want change. They are eagerly waiting for that change-and they expect that change from BNP. Therefore, if BNP is to deliver that change, all leaders and activists must step forward to the people.”
“Sometimes it makes me wonder-has our entire life been a failure? We want to see Bangladesh as a successful nation. Had President Ziaur Rahman not been there, this state would have failed.”
The BNP leader said, “We want to bring democracy to the point where it truly serves the welfare of the people. Development for a small clique is not real development. Only when the entire population advances, will that struggle for development be truly successful.”