The government, seized by the spirit of BAKSAL, has pushed democracy to the brink of death, Khaleda Zia has said, urging people to unite against it, reports bdnews24.com.
"We have to swear today to overthrow this anti-democratic regime that came to power through a voter-less election," said the BNP Chairperson in a statement on Friday.
Independent Bangladesh's President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had on Jan 25, 1975, formed a government of national unity -- 'BAKSAL'-- through the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.
The BNP and its allies have condemned the day as one that unleashed 'One-Party Rule' and observes it as 'Murder of Democracy Day'.
Democracy and people's rights are not safe in the hands of the Awami League, said Khaleda in the statement signed by the party's Assistant Office Secretary.
"Disregarding the Opposition views and the spirit of War of Independence, the Awami League had, in fact, passed an undemocratic medieval act," she said.
General Ziaur Rahman, her husband, who was President of Bangladesh, led the country back to multi-party democracy with 'the combined efforts of people and soldiers' on Nov 7, 1975, said the former Prime Minister.
"Getting wind of its fate in a free and fair election, the Awami League took away people's voting rights through amending the Constitution," she said.
Coming to power through a 'farcical election' on Jan 5, Khaleda said, the government was now out to jeopardise the country's unity, solidarity and sovereignty by striving to prolong the 'authoritarian' rule.
