Elections only way to institutionalise democracy: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the election is the only way to institutionalise democracy, report agencies.

"We need an election to institutionalise democracy. That is the only way to take the country forward. Let us start a new struggle for this goal," he said.

Mirza Fakhrul came up with the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a function to inaugurate the Zia Memorial Football Tournament, organised by local BNP, on Thakurgaon District School Boro Math on Sunday.

"For the past 15 years, a tyrannical regime had been leading the country backward. They have destroyed all the institutions of the country, including sports and cultural arenas. Today,

under the guidance and close supervision of Tarique Rahman, renowned sportsperson Aminul

Haque has launched this football tournament across the country, which will continue in the future," the BNP secretary general added.

BNP Dhaka North city unit convener and its central Sports Affairs Secretary Aminul Haque,

central Rural Development and Cooperatives Affairs Secretary Farhad Hossain Azad, district BNP General Secretary and central Executive Committee Member Mirza Foysal Amin, former national team footballer Syed Rumman Bin Wali Sabbir and Thakurgaon city BNP President

Shariful Islam Sharif addressed the function as special guests.

At the outset start of the function, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir inaugurated the event by releasing colourful balloons and festoons. He became emotional while reminiscing about this field, which is full of memories of his childhood, adolescence, and youth.

Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has urged the interim government to arrange the national election soon to thwart Sheikh Hasina's 'dangerous plan'.

"Sheikh Hasina is lurking with a dangerous plan. The national election must be held soon to thwart this conspiracy," he said.

Rizvi came up with the remarks while talking to journalists after paying tribute to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave, along with party leaders and activists from various districts, at Sher-e-Bangla Naga in the capital on Sunday.

Claiming that the Yunus government is delaying the election, he said the nation is eagerly waiting for a free, fair, and neutral election.