Fakhrul urges govt not to make rash decision

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the interim government should not make any impetuous decision on the removal of President Mohammed Shahabuddin from his office.

"The highest forum of BNP will discuss the issue and then we'll clear our position," he replied to a media query about the issue on Sunday.

Mr Fakhrul offered doa at the grave of the BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital, marking 46th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, an associate body of BNP.

The nationalist party sat in a meeting with a team of anti-discrimination student leaders on Saturday.

Mr Fakhrul said, "We said earlier that no impulsive decision should be made if we want to reap the benefits of our revolution. It (president's removal) should be done constitutionally."

"That's why we think there should be a general election soon after completing reforms related to the polls," added the BNP secretary.

Asked whether they smell a rat about any delay in election, he replied, "We have repeatedly said that the election should be held as early as possible. The state power should be handed over to a constitutionally elected party."

"We promise that we'll defend the country's independence and sovereignty at any cost. The country got liberated twice after ousting fascist Sheikh Hasina through a student-mass movement on 05 August 2024."

"The role of Jubo Dal in ousting Hasina was significant," cited Mr Fakhrul.

"BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is ailing. Yet, Jubo Dal is now much stronger than any time in the past under the leadership of our party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman."

"Jubo Dal will continue to play its role in protecting and defending the country's independence and sovereignty. It will also foil the evil design of those who don't tolerate development of Bangladesh," he maintained.

BNP leaders Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Barkatullah Bulu and Saiful Alam Nirab, Jubo Dal president Abdul Monaem Munna, general secretary Nurul Islam Nayan, Dhaka city south Jubo Dal convener Khandakar Enamul Haque Enam, member secretary Rabiul Islam Nayan and Dhaka city north Jubo Dal convener Sharif Uddin Jewel, among others, were present.

Meanwhile, the new president of the Bangladesh Football Federation, Tabith Awal, called on the party's chairperson at Gulshan soon after his election victory on Saturday night.

The former prime minister wished him success.

Mr Tabith also expressed his gratitude to Tarique Rahman, who has been in London for years, as BNP supported him in the election.

The acting chairman advised him to discharge duties with utmost sincerity, dedication and honesty.

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