BNP calls for unity to \\\'restore democracy\\\'

Senior BNP leaders urged on Thursday all the country's democratic forces to get united to 'restore democracy' in the country for resisting the emergence of militancy, reports UNB.

Speaking at a discussion, they also said their party senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman will return home from London when democracy will be restored in the county.

BNP arranged the programme at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh marking the 7th anniversary of the release of Tarique Rahman from prison.

Tarique, the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and its current chairperson Khaleda Zia, was arrested on March 7, 2007 during the then army-backed interim regime and freed from jail on bail on September 3, 2008. He left for London for treatment eight days later and has been staying there since then.

"The emergence of militancy is inevitable in a country which is under a one-party and unilateral rule, and the only means to resist it is to make all democratic forces united," said BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed.

He further said, "It'll be very tough for BNP to restore democracy in the country alone through a movement. There's no BNP leader who is not facing a case and not going to court. So, all the democratic forces should be united to bring democracy back."

The veteran politician observed that it's now the biggest challenge of the nation to restore democracy in Bangladesh.

He also said the democratic forces must gain the confidence of people that they are on the movement only to restore democracy not to go to power.

BNP standing committee member ASM Hannan Shah said Tarique was sent abroad as part of Awami League's plot against him as he had started making BNP stronger by organising its grass roots.

Another BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said Tarique has been in London now as BNP has failed to foil the conspiracy hatched by Awami League during BNP's rule.

He said BNP has to realise its demand for a fresh election through a strong movement as Awami League will not give any election willingly fearing its certain debacle.

Chaired BNP party vice chairman Shah Moazzem Hossain, the programme was addressed, among others, by BNP vice chairmen Selima Rahman, Hafizuddin Ahmed, chairperson's adviser Shamsuzzaman Dudu, journalist Mahfuzullah and ex-pro VC of Dhaka University AFM Yusuf Haider.

Meanwhile, the BNP has pushed back its demonstration against hike in prices of power and gas by a day as it coincides with Janmashtami, reports bdnews24.com.

BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan sent a statement to the media on Wednesday night announcing that the programme would instead be held on Sep 6.