Democracy under life support, be united to save it

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the country's democracy is now under life support, and called upon all to be united to save it.
"Democracy is now under life support. The government is setting deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendant of police (SPs) and upazila nirbabi officers (UNOs) to conduct election as per their will," he said as the chief guest of a protest rally in front of the party's headquarter in the capital's Naya Paltan area on Friday.
BNP Dhaka north and south units organised the rally - marking International Democracy Day - to realise their demands of immediate resignation of the government, dissolving parliament, and holding the national election under a caretaker government.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's claim that all elections held during the Awami League regime were free and fair is nothing but a big joke.
"The government started filling false cases against the party leaders and activists just before the next election. But the government would not be able to hold such (pre-planned) election."
"Today we are on the streets to oust the government, as it has destroyed the country's whole system. The ruling party has killed the country's democracy."
He stated that the government wants to make people fool, who cannot lead a decent life following high prices of essential commodities.
BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moin Khan in his speech said the party would not lodge any complaint, even if it faces defeat in the election under a neutral caretaker government.
"We want a free, fair and credible election under a neutral caretaker government, where people could cast their votes freely. We would not lodge any complaint, if our party faces defeat."
He said the government has cumulated power and snatched away people's fundamental rights.
BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas said the pro-Awami League government officials have created strong bases in the administration.
"The upcoming election would not be fair under the current administration, as Awami League members are occupying positions at every level of the administrative structure."
He stressed the importance of accepting the demand of a caretaker government. "People want their voting right back," he added.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said as the people have started rising, no power could resist them.
"People from all walks of life have taken to the streets to restore democracy in the country. This movement is not only of BNP, but also of the entire country."
He expressed optimism that people would succeed and democracy would soon return to the country.
"Our movement is not against any political party. Our movement is against the corrupt regime, snatchers of democracy and vote thieves. It is our duty to save the country from such looters," he maintained.
Earlier, Mirza Fakhrul, in a press briefing at BNP Naya Paltan office on Friday, said his party would announce fresh programmes under its one-point movement on Monday (September 18) to realise its demands.

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