Fakhrul fears conflict in country if govt doesn't step down

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) expressed apprehension on Thursday that the country might move towards a confrontation if the government doesn't resign.
"As long as you (Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina) remain in power, the country would move to the path of a confrontation," secretary general of BNP Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a press briefing at the party chairperson's office in the capital Gulshan area.
The press briefing was called to disclose the outcome of party's standing committee's meeting held on Tuesday.
"It is clear that the way the ruling Awami League is moving, the people of the country will resist it," he said.
"The people of the country will get back their rights. People have achieved their independence through a struggle of the War of Liberation. People participated in the movement and toppled the autocrat in 90's and restored democracy in the country. They (people) are still struggling to get back their rights," he maintained.
"You (the government) please resign for the sake of democracy and also protecting the people's rights. We have requested you to resign so that people of the country could vote to elect their own representatives, parliament and government," he said.
He criticised the Judicial Service Cadre Association for issuing statement regarding jail term awarded by a lower court against the secretary of human rights watch body 'Odhikar' Adilur Rahman Khan and its director AMM Nasiruddin.
"Issuing this type of statement is an unprecedented instance which would definitely play as a hurdle towards ensuring neutral manner (of judiciary)," he said.
Mirza Fakhrul further said that the standing committee of BNP believes that the judges of the courts should keep themselves away from controversial political activities.
"I (Fakhrul) repeatedly said that free, fair and participatory elections will not be possible under the ruling Awami League and it has been proven in the past," he said.
"People could not cast their votes as we witnessed it during two previous elections in 2014 and 2018," he said.
He said that the Prime Minister visited different countries and assured the foreigners that there will be a free and fair election this time (upcoming) in the country.
"Following the assurance of the Prime Minister, the European Union sent a top observatory team. The team has extensively visited and talked with the stakeholders of all parties. After discussions, they (European Union team) clearly said that there is no favourable environment for holding a free, fair and participatory elections and thus it (the EU) will not send observers during the upcoming elections," he mentioned.
He lamented that the ruling Awami League didn't show any response to the observation made by the European Union.
"We (BNP) are still on the peaceful movement despite provocations. We will see the last of it (our movement) despite arrests and filing false cases against us by the government. However, the situation will depend on how the government would behave with the opposition," he said.
About comments made by Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh against him he replied "You would see and understand his mentality that has reflected in his (Taposh) talks".

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