Battle to restore democracy begins from Sylhet: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said in their Sylhet rally that the battle against the Awami League to restore democracy in the country begins from the city as did the liberation war which led to the birth of independent Bangladesh.

"The government has turned the country into a bottomless basket in the last 14 years and they will be tried for all the crimes they have done," Fakhrul told the seventh divisional rally of the party at Sylhet's Alia Madrasah ground Saturday (19 November).

"Common people including day labourers and farmers are struggling. Prices of everything have skyrocketed, because this government is not elected through people's vote," he added.  

The BNP secretary general once again reiterated their call for a caretaker government to oversee the upcoming national polls.

"There will be no election in the country without a caretaker government and those who will oppose this will be branded as public enemies," Fakhrul said.

"The prime minister keeps showing excuses of the constitution whenever we demand a caretaker government. But she was the one who amended the constitution to drop the provision. We do not accept this constitution," said the BNP leader.

"Sheikh Hasina must resign immediately. An interim government and impartial election commission should be formed," Fakhrul said Urging all parties to unite against the government.

Fakhrul said this government will be tried in the people's court for the crime of taking away all human rights.

Addressing the massive crowd of BNP activists and supporters, who joined the rally defying all obstacles including a transport strike, Fakhrul said, "You have started a war, a war for freedom, for rights, for voting rights."

BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said that the party will start the movement to topple the government after the divisional rally in Dhaka on 10 December.

"The state of democracy today is like that of Ilias Ali (former BNP lawmaker who went missing in 2012). Ilias Ali is missing, so is democracy," he said.

On the country's economic condition, Gayeshwar said, "The government does not even have enough money in reserves to pay the interest on the loans it has taken. The government looted the reserves."

Gayeshwar further said the government should be held accountable for the damage caused to the transport sector due to the transport strikes enforced to thwart BNP rallies.

Abdul Moyeen Khan, a member of BNP's standing committee, said "We will return the power of the people to the people."

BNP Vice Chairman Dr Zahid Hossain said, "People all over the country have woken up today. Sheikh Hasina will fall. People will win. Prices of goods will decrease. A non-partisan government will be established."

The Sylhet rally comes after rallies in Chattogram, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Barishal and Faridpur.

BNP is set to conclude their series of divisional rallies through a mass gathering in the capital on 10 December.