Continue movement until govt is elected: Salahuddin

Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP's Standing Committee, today (17 September) called on party activists to continue their movement until a democratically elected political government is established.

He made the remark while addressing a pre-democracy rally organised by the divisional BNP in Chattogram city this afternoon, marking World Democracy Day.

In his speech, Salauddin Ahmed said, "In 1996, we, led by Begum Khaleda Zia, introduced the caretaker government in Bangladesh. By abolishing that caretaker government, Sheikh Hasina introduced a new dictatorship and fascist rule in Bangladesh. Through endless struggle, sacrifice, blood, and life, the people of Bangladesh regained their freedom."

He underscored the sacrifices made during the movement, stating, "If you think that everything has happened just because then you are wrong. Over 700 people were killed or disappeared in this movement, out of which 423 are BNP leaders and workers. During the long agitation, about 2,700 people have been subjected to various tortures, extrajudicial killings; among them, hundreds are BNP leaders and activists."

Salauddin urged patience among the activists, saying, "If you want to give meaning to democracy, this new freedom, this victory that has been achieved through so much blood, sweat, life, and struggle, then you have to be patient. The movement should continue, and national and international conspiracies should be countered. If democracy is not really established, this ongoing movement should continue until a political government is established through genuine democratic elections."

BNP Vice Chairman Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury, BNP Chairperson's Advisor Abul Khair Bhuiyan, Zainul Abedin Farooq, Golam Akbar Khondkar, BNP Central Committee Organising Secretary and Divisional Procession Coordinator Mahbuber Rahman Shamim, and former organisational secretary Dr Shahadat Hossain also spoke at the rally, which Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Convener Ershad Ullah chaired and Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman presided over.

Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury said, "Even after torture for the past seventeen years, BNP could not be stopped. A dictator like Hasina has not been found in history."

Abul Khair Bhuiyan said, "Awami League has turned Bangladesh into a fragile state by taking away the voting rights of the people. Bringing back the rule of elected people through popular vote will be a major reform of the state."

Zainul Abedin Farooq underscored the need for impartial elections, stating, "Democracy should be restored by forming a representative parliament and government."

At the rally's conclusion, a procession was taken out around the city.