Staff Reporter :
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has warned the interim government against any move to postpone the upcoming national election, asserting that the people of Bangladesh “will not accept” if the polls are not held by February 2026.
“Let me be absolutely clear – there are conspiracies surrounding the election. Both the national election and the referendum must be held on the same day, and that must be in February 2026.
Otherwise, the people of Bangladesh will never accept it,” Fakhrul declared on Friday while addressing a rally in front of the BNP’s central office at Nayapaltan.
The rally was organised to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
Praising BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman as the “architect of the modern democratic movement,” Mirza Fakhrul said, “Tarique Rahman announced a 31-point reform agenda.
If the interim government begins implementing those reforms, we will extend our full support.
Over the past year, the foundation for reform has been built, and on 17 October, several political parties
reached a consensus and signed an agreement.”
Criticising the interim government, Fakhrul noted, “Suddenly, a member of the Advisory Council announced at a press conference that political parties would be given only seven days to make their decisions.
Then what was the purpose of all the work done by the consensus commission? A huge amount of money has been spent, yet no real progress has been made.”
He further alleged that a certain political alliance is pressuring the government to hold the referendum before the election. “We have made it clear – the referendum must be held on the same day as the election.
Holding them separately will waste resources and undermine the significance of the main polls. Yet the interim government is taking steps that could derail the electoral process,” Fakhrul warned.
“We will participate in this election, and Insha’Allah, we will win and build a new Bangladesh,” he said. Addressing the youth, Fakhrul urged, “Move forward with courage.
Honour the sacrifices of our thousands of activists who have been martyred, and ensure victory.”
BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, in an indirect reference to Jamaat-e-Islami, said, “When the BNP takes to the streets, you will disappear. You misled the nation in 1971, and you are doing it again. Seek forgiveness from the nation before it’s too late.”
The rally drew thousands of enthusiastic activists, creating a festive atmosphere across Nayapaltan.
Leaders and supporters paraded with banners, placards, and decorated vehicles, while traffic in the area came to a standstill during the event.
