Avoid rifts, unrest in name of movements

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged all quarters to avoid rifts and unrest in the name of movements, stressing the need for strong unity to hold the national election in February next year in line with the people's aspirations, report agencies.

"Please save the country. Do not create divisions any more. Do not push the nation into chaos by raising various demands… Please let the election be held. Let the people of Bangladesh live in peace and end the unrest," he said.

The BNP leader made the call while speaking at a views-exchange meeting organised by the Garia Union unit of BNP at the Gopalpur Government Primary School field in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila.

He warned that some groups have taken to the streets with various demands, saying their intentions do not seem genuine. "Stop these demands for now. Stop marches and rallies over the PR issue."

Fakhrul said he himself does not understand the PR system, so how would the country's people understand it?

He urged some political parties to abandon demands such as whether there should be a referendum or PR, warning that otherwise the election could be delayed.

The BNP leader said political parties should cooperate with the interim government and the Election Commission to arrange the election in February next year, instead of engaging in debate over PR and the referendum on the July Charter.

"The people of the country want an election. Let the vote take place first, and then any demands can be discussed and decided in parliament," he said.

After fascist Hasina fled the country on August 5, Fakhrul said the nation had an opportunity to establish a new democratic system.

"Now we want to build the country beautifully… Please end these unrests by holding the election. We do not want to create divisions between Hindus and Muslims or Buddhists and Christians. We do not want to encourage violent or vindictive politics. We want to live together in peace," the BNP leader said.

He also outlined BNP's plans for the country if elected, saying his party knows how to run the government effectively, having been in power before.