Referendum demand a plot to foil election: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has termed the demand for a referendum by Jamaat-e-Islami and other like-minded parties before the national election as a "conspiracy to foil the polls."

Speaking at a rally in front of BNP's central office at Naya Paltan, Dhaka, on Friday, Fakhrul made the remark before leading a procession organized to mark November 7 - the "National Revolution and Solidarity Day."

In his speech, he said a certain political alliance, formed by several parties, was pressuring the government to hold a referendum before the upcoming national election.

He reiterated BNP's stance that if any referendum was to be held, it must take place on the same day as the national election. "Holding two separate votes will cost a huge amount of money," Fakhrul added.

"Those who are demanding a referendum before the election are actually plotting to disrupt the election process," he said.

The BNP leader further stated that the next election must be held by February. "If the election is delayed, the people of the country will not accept it," he warned.

After the rally, a procession led by Mirza Fakhrul started from the party's central office and parsed through Kakrail, Malibagh, Moghbazar, Bangla Motor, before ending at Karwan Bazar.

BNP begins election journey with November 7 programme

This year, BNP was observing November 7 as the Revolution and Solidarity in a more spirited and different mood than the previous year.

Joint Secretary of Shechcha Shebak Dol (the Volunteer Wing of BNP), Nurul Huda Babu, told the FE that party leaders and potential candidates across the country were joining various programmes today, marking the beginning of BNP's election campaign.

He said the party high command has instructed that the main focus of this year's Revolution and Solidarity Day programmes will be the upcoming national election.

Rallies, processions, and public meetings are being held at divisional and district levels to increase public engagement and introduce potential candidates.

On Monday, BNP announced the names of 237 preliminary candidates for the next parliamentary election.

From the November 7 programmes, candidates have been directed to intensify campaigns in favour of the party's election symbol -- the "Sheaf of Paddy."

In Dhaka, a central procession is being held from the BNP's Naya Paltan office at 3:00 PM, while candidates from different constituencies are organising rallies and public outreach programmes in their respective areas.

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