Drop all cases, allow Tarique to return home immediately: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said the sooner a general election is held, along with the completion of necessary reforms, the better it will be for the nation.

He also warned that the ghost of the Awami League’s evil spirit may try to destabilise the country centring on Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community.

“Reasonable time does not mean excessive time. The sooner an election can be held, the better it will be for the nation. We must swiftly implement reforms to transfer power back to the people,” the BNP leader said.

Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking at a memorial meeting organised by Hannan Shah Smriti Sangsad, marking the eight death anniversary of BNP Standing Committee member Brigadier General ASM Hannan Shah at Kapasia Pilot High School ground in Gazipur.

He also urged the interim government to remove all obstacles in the path of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh.

"We will not tolerate any unnecessary delays. All cases against Tarique Rahman must be withdrawn to allow his immediate return to the country,” the BNP leader said.

He also demanded the withdrawal of all cases against BNP leaders and activists. “Without withdrawing these false cases, an environment for acceptable, neutral elections cannot be ensured."

Fakhrul noted that over the last 17 years, 1,000 BNP leaders and activists have gone missing, thousands have been shot, and false cases have been filed against 6 million people, leaving their leaders and supporters unable to find peace.

Pointing to the interim government, Fakhrul said, "Let me make it clear: the people of Bangladesh believe in democracy. A parliamentary government must be established through a free and fair election, and that government should lead the nation. So, the administration needs to be reformed to facilitate elections as soon as possible."

If necessary, the BNP leader said they will take to the streets again to establish democracy in Bangladesh.

He said their party envisions a Bangladesh founded on equality, free from discrimination, and aspires to build a welfare state.

"Although Sheikh Hasina has fled, the crisis is far from over. The defeated elements of the AL fascist government are causing disturbances in the industrial areas, attempting to create an unstable environment around Durga Puja. Therefore, we must all remain vigilant. ‍‍`We stand with our Hindu brothers, and everyone will unite in support of you,” he stated.

The BNP leader stated that under the Awami League, no elections were conducted fairly. Sheikh Hasina believed that repression would help them to perpetuate their power, creating an unprecedented environment of irregularities and corruption. "Just look at how much money Awami League ministers and MPs have smuggled and stolen," he said.

He pointed out that those who once falsely imprisoned Khaleda Zia are now being arrested by the police on corruption charges. "This is Allah‍‍`s law," he remarked. He recalled how Sheikh Hasina boasted, "I am the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; I will not escape," yet she quickly fled Gonobhaban when faced with a turbulent student crowd.

Regarding late BNP leader Hannan Shah, he remarked, "He was a true democrat. Although he was an army officer, he embodied democratic values and was always vocal for democracy."

Fakhrul also urged the people of Kapasia to vote for Shah Riazul Hannan in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Earlier, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other central and district leaders visited Hannan Shah‍‍`s grave in the Ghagutia area of Kapasia upazila to pay homage.