Election marks victory for economic democratisation, fundamental rights: Fakhrul
'This victory is owed to the blood of those [July] martyrs,' he says
The 13th parliamentary election marks a victory for the democratisation of the economy and the realisation of people's fundamental rights, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said today (14 February).
"After a long political struggle, bloodshed and many ups and downs, liberal democracy has prevailed in Bangladesh. This election has proved that 18 crore people of the country are united in favour of change," he said while speaking at a post-election press conference at a city hotel in Dhaka.
The press conference was attended by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and other members of the party's standing committee.
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In his welcome remarks, Fakhrul described the day as the culmination of an extended struggle.
"Cases had been filed against nearly six million of our leaders and activists, and 20,000 had been killed, and nearly 1,700 forcibly disappeared," Fakhrul said, adding that "nearly 2,000 students, women and children" sacrificed their lives in July [uprising] and August 2024.
"After the bloodshed and sacrifices, we have now reached the main gate of democracy. This victory is owed to the blood of those martyrs," he added.
Praising Tarique Rahman's leadership, Fakhrul said the BNP remained united under his guidance and that the country's 18 crore people were similarly united in seeking development, improved conditions and qualitative change in politics.
"Our leader Tarique Rahman has shown the people of Bangladesh a new dream – the dream of a transformed, free and democratic Bangladesh. We want to be illuminated by the light of that new sun," he said.
