BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has pledged that his party will not resort to vote rigging or unlawful practices like the Awami League.
He emphasized that the BNP will humbly seek the people`s votes, not by forcefully taking away their rights.
Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of BNP`s membership renewal and primary membership recruitment campaign for Dhaka North, Mirza Fakhrul stated that during the Awami League’s rule, people were unable to exercise their voting rights freely.
"People could not even reach the polling centers; their votes were cast before they arrived," he said. "We do not want this. We demanded a neutral caretaker government to ensure that everyone can exercise their right to vote."
He noted that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has also stressed that votes should be sought through humility, not by intimidation or suppressing people`s rights.
Mirza Fakhrul accused the Awami League of politicizing all state institutions over the past 15 years, destroying the electoral system and turning the administration into a partisan tool. "What Awami League has done over the past 15 years, we will not repeat. We must learn from their consequences and ensure that everyone`s rights are protected."
He also expressed his gratitude to Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, describing a recent London meeting as "historic."
Fakhrul praised Tarique Rahman’s political foresight, noting that while BNP initially wanted elections in December and Dr. Yunus proposed April, Tarique agreed to shift BNP’s stance in the interest of the country. "It takes a rare leader to make such a prudent decision," Fakhrul said.
Addressing the absence of Jamaat-e-Islami in the recent consensus commission meeting, Fakhrul acknowledged that despite progress, some discontent remains within the alliance.
He further stressed the need for young leadership within the BNP, admitting that advancing age has reduced his own capabilities.
"We need to create space for young leaders and ensure leadership competition in the party."
Finally, Fakhrul warned that during the membership renewal process, no Awami League supporters should be included.
"We know from experience that they do not work for anyone’s interest but their own. However, anyone with a neutral stance should be invited to join the party," he added.
