Doubts remain in public mind over next election: Gayeshwar

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy today (15 August) said that until the next national election is completed and the results announced, people will continue to have doubts over whether the voting will actually be held.

"We hear that the election will be held in the first week of February, but until the counting of votes and the announcement of results are completed, there remain doubts among the nation over whether the election will be held," he said.

Gayeshwar made the remarks while addressing a milad and doa mahfil organised by BNP on the ground floor of its Nayapaltan central office to mark party Chairperson Khaleda Zia's 81st birthday.

He said that despite the sacrifices of many lives and much bloodshed, democracy still remains out of reach.

Gayeshwar, a BNP Standing Committee member, warned that there is an ongoing plot to foil the election.

"That is why we must remain alert, calm, and patient. As leaders and activists of a responsible political party, we must stay vigilant so that no conspiracy succeeds in derailing democracy or preventing a fair election," he said.

The BNP leader urged party members not to fall into any traps or respond to any provocations that could harm the democratic process.

Gayeshwar said Khaleda Zia has become the guardian of the nation. "She is not just the BNP Chairperson; she is fighting for democracy."

He said party chairperson herself never celebrates her birthday. "We are the ones who used to do it. Even when people criticised her, Khaleda never encouraged birthday celebrations. Khaleda Zia never arranged or hosted any birthday event herself. She has always asked for prayers for her good health."

Speaking at the programme, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said Khaleda Zia was pushed towards death by the Awami League only because of her huge popularity.

He urged their party colleagues to work in a way that wins the people's trust. "If we truly love party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, if we love the martyred President Ziaur Rahman, and if we love Tarique Rahman, then we must strive to win the hearts of the people," he said.

Nazrul also urged the party rank and file to ensure that they should not do anything that may create dissatisfaction among people or spread fear and anxiety.

He said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman brought democracy by removing Bakshal, Khaleda Zia restored democracy over the grave of military dictatorship and Tarique Rahman will usher in democracy in place of fascism.

Born on August 15, 1945, in Dinajpur, Khaleda Zia served three terms as the prime minister of Bangladesh and became the country's first female prime minister in 1991.