BNP wants 90s-like unity of democratic forces to oust government

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged all the democratic forces to forge a strong unity like that of in the 90s to restore democracy by ousting the Awami League government.

"There’s no ground beneath the feet of the current government. We all now must unite against it. The movement in the 90s succeeded as all the democratic forces were united and they all together ensured the fall of the dictator, Ershad,” he said.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said now there is no alternative to forging unity among the democratic forces in the same way. “We’ve to unite all the democratic and patriotic forces to oust the current terrible fascist government through a fierce movement.”

Pro-BNP student leaders of All-Party Students Unity (Apsu) of the 90s arranged the program at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh marking the Democracy Day commemorating the fall of autocratic ruler HM Ershad in 1990.

Fakhrul alleged that the Awami League government has no relation with democracy since it has taken a stand against the country’s people.

He said the government is trying to mislead people in various ways to divert their attention from the country’s problems to a different direction as it has become politically bankrupt.

Fakhrul said the ruling party demonstrated a poor show in the third phase of Union Parishad (UP) polls though BNP is not there in the election race.

He also congratulated a member of the transgender community who was elected chairman at Trilochanpur union of Kaliganj in Jhenaidah defeating the Awami League candidate during the third phase of the UP polls.

Stating that their party chief Khaleda Zia has been fighting for her life at Evercare Hospital, Fakhrul said she is not yet allowed to go abroad to receive advanced treatment.

“Doctors are saying they’ve no more scope to treat her (Khaleda) since there’s no advanced medical centre in Bangladesh where such treatment is possible. It‘s only available in advanced medical centres abroad,” he said.

The BNP leader said though the entire nation wants Khaleda to be sent overseas for treatment, the government is not letting her go there. “They (govt) are talking about the law. It’s the government, not the law, that is a barrier to taking her abroad.”

He said the government can allow the BNP chief to go abroad anytime under section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedures.

BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy urged the government to clearly say whether it will allow Khaleda to go outside the country for treatment or not. “We need a straight answer.”

He warned that their party together with people will ensure the fall of the government through a strong movement, paving the way for Khaleda’s treatment abroad.