AL obstructing BNP’s programmes out of fear, vengeance: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that the Awami League has been "creating obstacles" to BNP‍‍`s programmes in the name of "peace" rallies out of fear and political vengeance.

"The Awami League has obstructed our every programme ‍‍`deliberately‍‍` in the name of a peace rally. On the same day we presented the programme, they presented a counter-programme. They did the same thing when we changed our programme. How vindictive and terrified they must be to be able to do such things," he said.

Speaking at a press conference at the party‍‍`s Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader also said the Awami League has become terrified that they will be eliminated from politics if people‍‍`s democratic rights are restored.

He said it has become a national demand to resist the Awami League for the sake of democracy, the country, and sovereignty.

As his attention was drawn to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remark that the BNP is indulging in arson violence and killing, he said, "You (journalists) are watching everything very well, and you can say better how true the prime minister’s statements are."

Fakhrul said their party has been carrying out the movement in a completely peaceful manner for the last few years. "We’ve long been consciously trying to avoid any form of violence."
He slammed the government for what he said was the government’s failure to tackle the deteriorating flood situation.

"We’re very worried about the flood situation. This regime has taken on many mega development projects, but they cannot prevent floods," the BNP leader observed.

Later, Fakhrul announced that their party will take out mass processions in the capital on Friday afternoon as part of their one-point simultaneous movement to force the government to quit and hold the next election under a non-party caretaker government.

He said BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units will bring out separate processions after Juma prayers to press home their one-point demand.

Besides, the BNP leader said other opposition parties that have been carrying out the simultaneous movement will also observe a similar programme from their respective positions.

The BNP leader hoped that the government would not obstruct their programme, which would be held peacefully on Friday.