Nothing actually happened behind the scenes: Fakhrul

Trashing Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader's remark that the government had reached an agreement 'behind the scenes' with foreign powers over the coming election, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said nothing actually happened behind the scenes, and the 'democratic world' was sticking to their stance on -the resignation of the current regime' for a credible election, reports UNB.
Speaking at a token hunger strike, he also said BNP and other opposition parties will launch an 'unstoppable movement' after the Durga Puja for the restoration of democracy and unconditional release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
"This is not an elected government. It can't be called a government as it's a ruler…they (govt) declared the largest political party BNP, which was in power thrice, as their enemy. It means they do not believe in democracy. If they believe in democracy, they can't consider any political party an enemy," the BNP leader said.
He said it has been proved again that the government does not believe in democracy and the rule of law as it arrested two Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders of Narsingdi in a commando style violating the law from a students' convention at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on Thursday.
"They're now saying everything has been settled behind the scenes. Why do you say this again and again? The reason is that nothing actually happened. The entire democratic world is clearly asking them (govt) to step down and hold a free and fair election," Fakhrul said.
As part of its countrywide programme, BNP's Dhaka south and north city units arranged a three-hour token hunger strike in the city demanding Khaleda Zia's unconditional release from jail and her advanced treatment abroad.
Several thousand BNP leaders and activists holding banners, festoons and placards joined the programme that began around 11am.
Fakhrul said the release of the Khaleda and the restoration of democracy are now synonymous and inseparable. "So, we're waging a movement for the release of our leader Begum Khaleda Zia alongside the agitation for the restoration of democracy. We must build an irresistible mass movement combining these two demands in the coming days."
The BNP leader urged the party leaders and workers to take a strong vow to continue their agitation until the fall of the current fascist regime and the permanent release of Khaleda.
He said they did not take any programme during the Durga Puja as BNP believes in a completely peaceful secular system.
"We don't want them (govt) to take advantage of the movement to create any problem. Police already obstructed a peaceful protest march by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council in Cumilla yesterday (Friday) and the Awami League terrorists attacked and injured them," the BNP leader said.
He warned party leaders and workers to remain alert so that the ruling party could not create any trouble during the Durga Puja.
Meanwhile, BNP on Saturday started a three-hour token hunger strike in the city demanding its Chairperson Khaleda Zia's unconditional release from jail and her advanced treatment abroad.
The programme formally began around 11:21am in front of the party's Nayapaltan central office through the recitation from the verses of the holy Quran.
As part of its countrywide programme, BNP's Dhaka south and north city units arranged the programme in the capital where party senior leaders, including secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will deliver speeches.
BNP leaders and activists holding banners, festoons and placards joined the programme and chanted slogans to have their chairperson permanently freed from jail.
The token hunger strike is scheduled to end around 2pm.
Besides, a similar programme is being held in all district towns and metropolitan cities across the country.