AL govt resembles Pakistani occupation forces: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the current Awami League (AL) government is the ghost of Pakistani occupation forces and autocratic rulers as it destroyed democracy and snatched people's rights by resorting to repression, reports UNB.

"Had you (freedom fighters) fought for current Bangladesh? Today's Bangladesh (under AL govt) is an evil spirit of the Pakistani occupation forces of 1971 and the despotic rulers of Pakistan," he said.

The BNP leader came up with the remarks while speaking at a gathering of freedom fighters organised by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, the freedom fighters' wing of BNP, at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, in the city on Monday, marking the 53rd Independence Day.

Freedom fighters from across the country took part in the programme by holding national flags in their hands.

The BNP leader also alleged that the 'usurper' Awami League regime is exploiting and terribly oppressing the people of Bangladesh in the same way the Pakistanis ruled and suppressed people and sucked their blood.

He said the freedom fighters joined the Liberation War with a dream of building a happy, prosperous, democratic and independent Bangladesh free from discrepancy. "But Awami League has dashed that dream snatching people's all rights and destroying democracy."

"It's unfortunate that those who fought the Liberation War have to say after 52 years of independence that we did not get that Bangladesh (for which we fought)," Fakhrul lamented.

He said that AL always claims that they led the Liberation War, but it actually exposed its real face when it came to power soon after the independence of the country in 1972 by indulging in looting, stealing and oppressing and killing their opponents. "They even killed freedom fighters and many youths."

At the beginning of his speech, Fakhrul paid homage to the memories of martyrs of the Liberation War and those who played outstanding roles in liberating the country.

He said the freedom fighters fought the Liberation War when they were young and liberated the country by putting their lives at risk.

The BNP leader said it is now the responsibility of the young generation to protect that independence, democracy and the rights of people. "You (youths) have to move towards another liberation war to protect the citizens of the country and their right to vote and the right to live. We all must get united to save the country and bring back democracy by ousting the current regime."