Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy called upon on Sunday the interim government to hold the national election by completing reform activities without wasting time for nothing.
"Public participation in the election will be like a tide once the polls held as fast as early. If the national election is held right now then around 90 per cent voters will be present at the polling centres," he said at a discussion marking International Disaster Mitigation Day at Jahor Hossain Chowdhury Auditorium at the National Press Club.
"The government has changed, but you and I remain the same like in the past. Only Sheikh Hasina is absent, but others remain like in the past," he said.
"We (BNP) had only one demand during the last 15 years that is holding a free and fair election. How people will rely on you (interim government) that you will hold election as you are yet to reconstitute the Election Commission," he continued.
"We (BNP) have extended our party's support to the students' logical demand for bringing about quota reforms. As we participated in the students' rights movement so the then Awami League government filed false cases against our party leaders and activists," he maintained.
He said BNP as a party was on the streets during all student movements.
"The movement of students is the public reflection. But the present interim government considers students as a head of crown. Why students visit Bangladesh Secretariat and other government offices? We respect their movement. Disrespecting and hating the politicians are not right," he stated.
"If the present interim government fails, the movement against the then Awami League government during the last 16 years will be in vain. We (BNP) are with you (interim government). We want to see your success," he said.
"There is a question in public mind that when the national election will be held? We hope that you (interim government) will hold a free and fair election involving the people. So you have to fix a target first," he stated.
President of Jatiyatabadi Prochsar Dal Mahfuz Kabir Muktar presided over the event also attended by adviser to BNP chairperson Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com