BNP has many demands, but stays off the streets: Farroque
He further said their ongoing movement is not aimed at bringing BNP to power but to restore voting rights
Although BNP has many demands from the interim government, it is not taking to the streets, party Chairperson Khaleda Zia's adviser Zainul Abdin Farroque said today (14 May).
"Why should we protest against the government? We were the ones who put you in power. We, too, have many demands, but we are not out on the streets," he said, addressing the government.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled "A specific roadmap for the upcoming national election and restructuring the state", organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Pharmacy Association at the Jatiya Press Club.
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Urging the government to take public sentiment into account, Farroque said, "Understand the people's language. The country's citizens want an election. Arrange it without delay. Identify the allies of the Awami League who are conspiring to delay the election."
Referring to the BNP chairperson, he said, "Begum Khaleda Zia is the most popular leader in Bangladesh. She owns no property abroad. After losing her husband, she fought on the streets to restore democracy. Even she was not spared from attacks by Awami League's goon squads. Sheikh Hasina may be gone, but her shadows still remain."
He further said their ongoing movement is not aimed at bringing BNP to power but to restore voting rights.
"Those who protested for 16 years, those who participated in the July movement, all demanded only one thing - a fair election," he said.
He also condemned the killing of Shammo, a Dhaka University student and Chhatra Dal leader, saying, "There are drug dens, gambling, immoral activities and muggers' hangouts right beside Dhaka Medical College, BUET, and Dhaka University - in Suhrawardy Udyan. Doesn't anyone see that? Our student leader was killed. There will be a probe committee, and then nothing will happen."
The discussion was presided over by Dr AB Siddiq Howlader, president of the organising association. BNP's Religious Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam Zaman, Tanti Dal's Senior Joint Secretary General Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir, and others also spoke at the event.
