BNP calls for fresh anti-govt rallies in all divisional cities

Staff Reporter :
The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said that Awami League had killed democracy and had been alienated from the people.
Addressing the rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office in the capital on Wednesday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the statement.
He also announced fresh anti-government rallies in all divisional cities for February 4 to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the parliamentary polls under a caretaker government and dissolution of parliament.
 “The rally will be held in all divisional cities demanding unconditional release of the party leaders and activists, reduction of prices of electricity and daily commodities,” he said.
However, the programme for Dhaka metropolitan area on that day will be announced later, he said.
Addressing the BNP’s rally, Mirza Fakhrul said, “The government has snatched our rights and destroyed our cultural thoughts.”
About the election he said, “The government wants to hold an election of farce. But the people will determine their own fates. It is our solemn duty to oust the government with the support of the people.”
Regarding the spirit of the liberation war, he said, “The Awami League demands itself to be the only claimant of the liberation war, but this party has destroyed the dream of liberation war and its spirit.”
About BAKSAL, he said, “Awami League had laid down democracy on 25 January 1975. The generation does not know this history. The Awami League has erased it. When it is asked why they have killed democracy, they become infuriated. They blame the BNP for destroying democracy.”
Referring to the resignation from the BAKSAL government, Mirza Fakhrul said, “In protest to the formation of the BAKSAL, Muhammad Ataul Goni (MAG) Osmany and Barrister Mainul Hosein resigned from the then parliament. Even Pallikabi Jasimuddin rejected his medal.”
He further said, “Awami League government does not believe in democracy and tolerates dissenting opinions.”
The BNP Secretary General also said that the government has been alienated from the people.
“Awami League thinks that the country is their paternal asset and the people are their tenants. But people have rejected them,” he continued.
Apart from BNP, other like-minded opposition parties, alliances and organisations also observed a similar programme in Dhaka and other divisional cities and district towns as part of the simultaneous movement to topple the ruling Awami League government.
Ganatantra Mancha, Ganatantrik Bam Oikya and Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote held separate rallies in front of the Jatiya Press Club while the 12-Party Alliance near Bijoy Nagar Water Tank while Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote in front of the Jatiya Press and LDP at FDC Crossing.
They also announced a rally in the divisional cities for February 4.
The organisers said the programme was meant for registering a protest against the introduction of one-party BAKSAL rule by the Awami League on this day in 1975 and protesting the price hike of power and gas.
It was the fourth programme of the simultaneous movement after the mass procession on December 30, sit-in on January 11 and rally and procession on January 16.