BNP to take to streets again if people's interests jeopardised: Fakhrul

The BNP will once again take to the streets if interests of partymen and the people are jeopardised, the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said today (29 March).

"We are not on the streets right now. We are going to people with iftar items and Eid gifts, standing by them in both their joy and sorrow. But, if any obstacle arises in the interests of the party and people, we, the BNP, will take to the streets once again," he said while distributing Eid gifts among the poor in the Beraid area of Badda.

On behalf of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, the Dhaka North City unit of the BNP organised the programme ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Fakhrul called upon the people of the country to prepare for a movement, alleging that a plot, both from within and outside the country, is underway to deprive people of their right to vote and delay the elections. "We will not allow this to happen."

He said over the past 15 years, their party leaders and activists have endured serious repression in their fight for the restoration of people's voting rights.

The BNP leader also mentioned that the people of the country became freed from ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's "monstrous and fascist" regime on 5 August after 36 days of the July uprising and the united efforts of political parties and students.

He said the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, was formed with the primary responsibility of holding a national election by creating a level playing field in a short time.

"But whenever we discuss the elections, many claim that the BNP only raises the issue of elections. It is natural for us to do so, as we have fought all our struggles for that very cause," he said.