180 million people of Bangladesh do not want AL: Mirza Fakhrul

CHATTOGRAM, May 10 (BSS): Hinting an strict stance against Awami League, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday categorically said that 180 million people of Bangladesh do not want to see Awami League (AL) for oppressing the people since independence, destroying democracy, establishing a one-party state and snatching freedom of press.

While addressing a mammoth rally at Polo Ground as chief guest, referring to the rallies organized by NCP in Ctg New Market area and Dhaka demanding ban on Awami League, Mirza Fakhrul said, "While our rally is being held here, another two gatherings are also being held at Ctg and Dhaka. What is their demand? Their demand is that the AL should be banned, right?," he added.

"So, 18 crore people of Bangladesh do not want to see Awami League", Mirza Fakhrul replied himself hinting his party's stance over the issue.

Mirza Fakhrul said, "Hasina has fled, right?. But her cohorts are still there, they are conspiring to re-establish the AL's rule in Bangladesh. Are they our friends? Should they survive in front of our youth? Should their conspiracy and plot be succeed? It won't, friends."

The BNP leader alleged that false cases have been filed against 60 lakh people in the country, nearly 20,000 people have been killed and 1,700 people were subjected to forced-disappearance during the past 15 years of their fascist rule.

"Such a breath-staking situating had been created for keeping BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in prison for six years and not allowing party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to return to the country," Mirza Fakhrul pointed out.

The end of this suffocating situation was possible only because of the mass movement of the youths, Fakhrul said adding that the fascist rulers and their cohorts were forced to flee the country en masse due to its misrule and corruption.

"Shaheed Ziaur Rahman at first had carried meaningful reforms, restored freedom of the press, adopted suitable policy that helped flourish the garment sector which is now backbone of country's economy" he said.

Mirza Fakhrul said, Begum Khaleda Zia had introduced the caretaker system, adopted time-befitting policy for women empowerment and education. Today, ironically everybody forgot everything.

He said, "Our youth want business, want jobs. They want peace in educational institutions. They want a democratic country, where everyone can speak freely. We want to establish that democracy."

Fakhrul Islam said, one of the message of today's youth rally is- "Young people, wake up again, everyone must foil the conspiracy and establish their rights."

BNP secretary general said, "Ziaur Rahman fought for a democratic country, Khaleda Zia worked for democracy. Tarique Rahman wants to make Bangladesh a modern country."

"Tarique Rahman does not want anything by selling the country's independence and sovereignty. That is why Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh comes first. The decision will be made on the streets, and that is what happened" he added.

He said, 'There will be a beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh. Where people will love each other, the country will keep its head high. The flag of Bangladesh will fly high. Our new independence came at the cost of huge lives like Wasim Akram. I hope Wasim's heroic sacrifices will be included in the textbooks'.

Presided over by central President of Swechchhasebak Dal S M Jinali, the rally was conducted jointly by general secretary of Swechchhasebak Dal Rajib Ahsan and general secretary of JCD Nasir Uddin Nasir.

CCC Mayor and former city unit president of BNP Dr. Shahadat Hossain spoke as special guest while Juba Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna was the main speaker.

Addressing the rally as special guest, BNP standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said election wave has already been started across the country and none could obstruct it.