Invisible power, not AL, running country: BNP

FE REPORT
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has said that it is not the Awami League (AL) but an invisible power is virtually running the country.
"The AL isn't running the country. An invisible power is doing so," BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said while addressing a rally in front of the party's Nayapaltan office in the capital on Saturday.
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal organised the rally to press their demands for unconditional release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and allowing her to go abroad for treatment, withdraw cases filed against its acting chairperson Tarique Zia and release of all detained party leaders, including Jubo Dal president Sultan Salhuddin Tuku.
"Khaleda Zia is not only an oppressed leader but also a source for those who had sacrificed their lives for democracy in the world. She is still fighting for democracy," said Mr Fakhrul.
"She (Khaleda Zia) is now in jail for nothing. Others have got bail in the same case, but she could not get bail. The government doesn't set her free in fear of losing power."
He also says that Begum Khaleda Zia is seriously ill, but the government is not allowing her to go abroad for treatment.
"This government remains in power only by filing false cases and using state machineries. They (govt) have snatched away public voting rights," the BNP secretary general mentions.
"You (govt) could not suppress democratic movement by resorting to oppression and suppression on the opponents."
Today, people have no their basic rights, including democratic and economic. They could not cast their votes independently. The AL again wants to establish a one-party BAKSAL rule in the country," he continues.
About comments made by AL general secretary and road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, Mr Fakhrul said the BNP has never the history of committing terrorism, rather the AL has the history of unleashing terrorism.
Mr Fakhrul further says the people could not pass their lives due to the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities. Banks are being looted and journalists are not allowed to enter Bangladesh Bank to gather information.
Today all institutions of the country have been politicised and it is not possible to get jobs without money, he goes on.
The country's electoral system has been made controversial, he alleged, saying that no autocrats were able to sustain in power.
"Our movement is going on despite continuous repression on our leaders and their detention in jail. They (AL) consider the country as their paternal property," he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government foiled their grand rally in the capital on October 28, 2023.
He, however, stressed the need for waging greater movement to topple the government.
Addressing the rally, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas alleged that the government would hold on power at any cost.
The countrymen have been suffering a lot due to the soaring prices of essential commodities, he says.
"This government is not elected by the people. It is a problem for the people. So, we must oust the government for the sake of the people and the country."
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