Election only way to institutionalise democracy: Fakhrul

There is no alternative to democracy and the election is the only way to institutionalise democracy, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said today (16 February).

"We need an election to institutionalise democracy. That is the only way to take the country forward. Let us start a new struggle for this goal," he said while addressing as chief guest a function to inaugurate the Zia Memorial Football Tournament, organised by local BNP, in Thakurgaon this afternoon.

"For the past 15 years, a tyrannical regime had been weighing down the country. They have destroyed all the institutions of the country, including sports and cultural arenas. Today, under the guidance and close supervision of Tarique Rahman, renowned sportsperson Aminul Haque has launched this football tournament across the country, which will continue in the future," the BNP secretary general added.

BNP Dhaka North city unit Convener and its Central Sports Affairs Secretary Aminul Haque, Central Rural Development and Cooperatives Affairs Secretary Farhad Hossain Azad, district BNP General Secretary and Central Executive Committee member Mirza Foysal Amin, former national team footballer Syed Rumman Bin Wali Sabbir and Thakurgaon city BNP President Shariful Islam Sharif addressed the function as special guests.