Current unrest is the responsibility of the interim government: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said there is no scope for a referendum before the national election. He stated that the present political crisis has been created by the interim government and urged the authorities not to mislead the public with falsehoods.

He made the remarks on Saturday (1 November) at a discussion arranged by the Freedom Fighters’ organisation at the National Press Club.

Mirza Fakhrul said a section has been deliberately attempting to distort the history of the Liberation War, but the nation will not allow that to happen. He emphasised that the events of 1971 form the very foundation of Bangladesh’s existence, and that anti-Liberation War forces remain engaged in conspiracies. At one time they had described the Liberation War as ‘a muddle’ — the nation has not forgotten that.

He went on to say, ‘If an election had been held within three months of the uprising, the malign forces would not have had the courage to raise their heads.’ He noted that the BNP’s 31-point reform programme clearly sets out all the directions for change. ‘We are the ones in favour of reform. Whether proportional representation (PR) will be introduced is a matter for the next parliament to decide. But telling people “there will be no election if there is no PR” is misleading the public,’ he added.

The BNP secretary general said the party would thwart all conspiracies and restore the democratic rights of the people.

Regarding Sheikh Hasina’s recent interviews, Mirza Fakhrul observed, ‘She is giving interviews to various media outlets from India. We call on the Government of India to send her back to the country — because she must face the law.’