Interim govt's actions might put election at risk: Fakhrul
'A political alliance is pressuring the government to hold the referendum before the election', he says
The interim government is taking steps that could disrupt the electoral process, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (7 November).
"Suddenly, one member of the Advisory Council announced in a press conference that political parties will be given seven days to make their decisions. Then what was the point of all the work done by the consensus commission so far? Huge sums of money were spent, yet no real problem was solved," Fakhrul said this afternoon (7 November) while addressing a rally in front of the BNP's central office at Nayapaltan.
The rally was organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
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He further alleged that a political alliance is pressuring the government to hold the referendum before the election.
"We have said clearly — the referendum must be held on the same day as the election. Holding two votes separately will waste money and reduce the importance of the main election. But the interim government is taking steps that could disrupt the electoral process," Fakhrul warned.
The BNP leader also warned the interim government against any attempt to delay the upcoming national election, saying the people of Bangladesh "will not accept" if the polls are not held by February 2026.
"Let me say this very clearly — there are conspiracies surrounding the election. The election and the referendum must be held on the same day, and that election must take place in February 2026. Otherwise, the people of Bangladesh will never accept it."
"We will take part in this election and, Insha'Allah, we will win and build a new Bangladesh," he said. Addressing the youth, Fakhrul added, "Move forward with courage. Honour the sacrifices of our thousands of activists who have been martyred, and ensure victory."
Praising BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman as the "leader of the modern democratic movement", Fakhrul said, "Tarique Rahman had announced a 31-point reform programme. If the interim government begins implementing those reforms, we will fully support them. Over the past year, they have built the foundation for reform, and on 17 October, a consensus was reached among several parties, which we signed."
Referring indirectly to Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas said, "When the BNP takes to the streets, you will vanish. You misled the nation in 1971, and you are doing it again. Seek forgiveness from the nation before it's too late."
The rally saw a festive atmosphere throughout Nayapaltan, with leaders and activists carrying banners, placards, trucks, and decorated vehicles. Traffic in the area remained halted during the event.
