Staff Reporter :
The main opposition party-BNP- on Saturday said the political parties, who are participating in the ongoing street movement in a simultaneous manner, would not leave the streets until democracy was restored in the country.
“We are on street movement to restore democracy in the country. We want to say clearly that no other system except democracy will ever work in Bangladesh.
So the political parties are in the movement and they would not leave street until democracy is restored,” BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan said at a pro-democracy signature programme organised by Nagarik Oikya in front of the National Press Club.
Nagarik Oikya organised the programme titled ‘Don’t Accept Farce Elections: Mass Signatures for Democracy.’
“The Awami League government is in power by force. It is in power by the barrel of a gun… It is not only us who are saying this today; look at the media around the world. Look at the statements that have come out of different countries.
Over the years, they’ve echoed these words during past farce elections,” Dr. Moyeen said.
“It is established in the country and internationally that democracy is dead in Bangladesh. We have only one promise and only one goal. We will bring democracy back to Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said.
“Inshallah, our movement for restoring democracy will continue… until we return the aspiration of the people of Bangladesh for democracy… until we can return the right of democracy to the people of Bangladesh, we will not leave the streets,” Dr. Moyeen said.
The BNP leader expressed hope that every person in the country would sign the mass signature programme of Nagarik Oikya against the farcical elections and reject this government again.
Organisers said that the signatures of citizens would be collected in various places, including cities, districts, and upazilas, and internationally online.
Nagarik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that the Awami League was not qualified for the the government as it was not elected by vote.
“That is why we have arranged this signature campaign. We will try to reach not only 10 crore voters in Bangladesh, but 17 or 18 crore people in Bangladesh. Our programme will continue online and offline,” he said.
Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Huq said that the government was now collecting flowers and letters from different countries or diplomats to show that the countries were supporting them.
Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki said that lies were the main shelter of this government.
“They [govt] will show through all media, including television, that it is a fair election and the whole world is congratulating them. On that day, we saw how the government-controlled media did propaganda about the opposition party,” he said.
“After turning the information ministry into a ministry of propaganda, Hasan Mahmud has been given the responsibility of the foreign ministry so that from now on he can spread lies to foreigners,” he said.