Will welcome students' party, unless they form it availing state facilities: Fakhrul

BNP will welcome the new party to be formed by the students, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said  today (19 February).

"We will welcome it when you [students] form a party. But it does not mean they can form a party by staying in power and availing all state facilities. That will never be accepted," he said.

Mirza Fakhrul said these while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled "New Style of Politics in Bangladesh after the Mass Uprising' organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) Auditorium in the capital's Farmgate area.

At the beginning of the programme, the BNP Secretary General inaugurated the Dhaka City unit of Chhatra Dal's membership collection, distribution of forms and membership renewal activities by distributing forms among new students.

Noting that the main task of the interim government is to restore democracy in the country, Mirza Fakhrul said, "We have supported the interim government. We stand by them. They are also trying to complete some works very quickly and move towards the elections." 

"But in the meantime, doubts have been created among people on several issues," he said, adding that doubts are being increased day by day about whether the government is sincere about the elections or not.

Referring to the statement of the local government adviser - "If the fascists apologize and they can participate in the elections, he said, "I want to tell the interim government and the head of the government to take immediate action on these issues. Otherwise, the trust will no longer exist in the people about you."

Fakhrul urged Chhatra Dal leaders and activists to acquire more knowledge alongside doing politics, saying that the practice of knowledge strengthens the organization.

Claiming that the education sector was the most affected sector during the previous fascist government, Mirza Fakhrul said, "Our sons and daughters cannot directly get admission abroad after passing MBBS because they (foreigners) think that the MBBS education that is offered here is not authentic."

To restore democracy in the country, he urged the leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal to work together with patience, tolerance and the practice of merit.

"You all have to be active in cyber war on social media," he added.

With Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib in the chair, the discussion was moderated by its General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir.

BNP Student Affairs Secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul, Dhaka South City Unit of BNP Convener Rafiqul Islam Majnu, BNP North City Unit Convener Aminul Haque, South City Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin and North City Member Secretary Mustafa Zaman also spoke, among others, on the occasion.