Dire consequences await the country if govt does not stop repression, says BNP's Moyeen Khan

BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said today the government will face dire consequences if they don't stop repressing the opposition.

"Government may stay in power by intimidation and force. But my question is what kind of Bangladesh are you [govt] leaving behind for the future generation? Let us avoid the politics of conflict and ensure the policy of peaceful coexistence. If not, dire consequences await Bangladesh," he said speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting at the National Press Club marking Martyred Intellectuals Day on Thursday (14 December).

Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said, "On the eve of the victory, the people of the country thought that Bangladesh would be an independent country. But just before that, collaborators killed the intellectuals of the country. Their main objective was to make Bangladesh demented. That is why brilliant intellectuals have been killed. We are living in Bangladesh earned by their sacrifice."

He said intellectuals and freedom fighters wanted a democratic independent Bangladesh.

"But the sad thing is that democracy is dead in Bangladesh. Here a new form of Bakshal has been established," the BNP leader said.

"However, the people of Bangladesh did not accept that rule in the past. They want to elect their own representatives. But where is that right to vote?

"Today Awami League introduces itself as a force supporting the liberation war. So why one-party rule?" he added.

Dr Moyeen Khan also said, "Many people say why sanctions have not come to Bangladesh. If more sanctions come, Would Awami League return the country's democracy? Why should Bangladesh restore democracy with sanctions?"

"We have been carrying out a peaceful movement programme to restore the voting rights and democracy in the country. Already the people of Bangladesh have rejected this government," he added.

Earlier in the day, Dr Moyeen Khan said the upcoming 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election on 7 January will be nothing but a deception with countrymen.

"There will be no election on 7 January, what will happen is just sharing. The people of the country know it. Seat sharing from Dhaka will be announced on 7 January," he said while speaking to journalists before laying wreaths at the Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur.

"On this day in 1971, those who were the wealth of the country were brutally killed. Even after 50 years of independence, we have not been able to establish democracy for which people gave their lives," he added.

The BNP leader said their on-going movement is for the restoration of democracy,

"We will continue to agitate until democracy is restored," Moyeen Khan said.

"I admit you [ruling government] have made a lot of progress. So why be afraid? If you come back to power through fair elections, I would like to congratulate you," he said to the government. 

BNP Central Assistant Secretary Mostafizur Rahman Babul, Assistant Office Secretary Taiful Islam Tipu, Dr Parvez Reza Kakon and others were present at this time.