Dhaka: Sheikh Hasina became a fascist by taking advantage of the weakness of political parties. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has commented that the party doesn't want her to return to power either.

He made these remarks at a discussion meeting organized by the Nationalist Professional Council on the occasion of 'National Revolution and Solidarity Day on November 7' at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club on Tuesday (November 19).

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the main priority should be given to restoring the democratic environment in the country. Various conspiracies are currently going on about minorities and garments. If there is an elected government, this conspiracy will not happen.

Regarding the election, the BNP Secretary General said that the problem will increase not because of BNP's power, but if elections are not held soon. He also called on the interim government to announce a roadmap for the next plan.

Regarding the movement on the various demands of the people, Mirza Fakhrul said, "Suffering is being created in the name of the movement. Now everyone is making demands. But so far, no one has made these demands in the face of tyranny. Such a crisis is being created because there is no political government."

He said, "Our priority is to create a democratic environment in the country, to create space for democracy. We have highlighted 31 points of reforms through discussions with political parties. Now, the new ones who are coming are saying different things. Those in the interim government are not political figures. They do not even have political experience. Politics is a science that is why it is called political science. Is BNP talking about elections to come to power? No. If elections are held quickly, many of the country's problems will be solved."

Criticizing the education structure, Mirza Fakhrul said, "What success have we achieved in the education sector in 53 years? Out of 1,000 universities in the world, not one of our universities is included in the serial because we are not a united nation. Sheikh Hasina has done the most harm to the country. She has destroyed all the achievements of the country in 15 years." BNP Standing Committee Member and BSPP Convener Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain presided over the event and was conducted by Member Secretary Quader Gani Chowdhury. BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Bangladesh Teachers and Employees Unity Council Chairman Professor Selim Bhuiyan, DAB Former President Professor Dr. Azizul Haque, DAB President Dr. Harun Al Rashid, Professor Dr. Abu Ahmed and others were also present.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for arranging for elections quickly in a suitable environment after fundamental reforms.

He said this in his speech at the 3rd Council of the Jatiyatabadi Textile Engineers Association (JTEB) at the Institute of Engineering (IEB) in the capital on Saturday (November 16) afternoon.

Addressing the interim government, he said, "I want to make it clear that election-centric reforms must be completed quickly. I hope that after the fundamental reforms of the election system, administration, law and order and judicial system, it is necessary to move towards elections quickly for the welfare of the people of the country."

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "The main desire of the people of the country is a democratic state, we have to eliminate all the problems that have arisen to implement the desire of a democratic society. If we try to do more than that, the more problems will arise as time goes by."

Addressing the government, he said, "Let us maintain the image we had in front of the people." The BNP Secretary General also said that people should stand by each other in their happiness and sorrow. He said that it is the responsibility of the interim government to reform fundamental issues and arrange an election in a suitable environment.

BNP has gone to US ambassador-in-charge Ms. Megan Bouldin's Gulshan residence on an invitation for tea.

BNP leaders went to her residence on Thursday (November 14) morning.

Confirming this information, BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan said that a group led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir went to the US ambassador-in-charge's residence for tea at 10 am today.

Also present were the party's standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, International affairs committee member and organizing secretary Shama Obaid.

BNP has been demanding a clear roadmap for the elections from the interim government. That demand became stronger since the party's rally on November 8. The presence of leaders and activists from different parts of the country in that rally made the party more dynamic. In view of this, BNP has decided to hold rallies in divisional cities to strengthen its preparations for the next election and prevent any conspiracy. In addition, the party has decided to hold another big public rally on December 16 to mark Victory Day.

However, although the specific time of the rally has not been clarified yet, several BNP leaders have said that the activities may start from next month.

Earlier, the meeting was held on Monday (November 11) night at the Chairperson's political office in Gulshan in the capital, sources in the meeting said that this issue was discussed. The meeting was virtually presided over by the party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

Sources in the meeting said that detailed discussions were held on the elections, the activities of the interim government, the current political situation, relations with Jamaat and other parties, and the next steps of BNP. If no decision is taken by the government during this period, the party will take to the streets demanding the 13th Jatiya Sangsad(JS) election by March-April.

Regarding the rally, several BNP leaders said that this rally will be held so that the government does not prolong its power and does not belittle the BNP. In addition, the goal of this rally will be to prevent any more conspiracies in the country and to maintain the democratic system. Apart from this, the BNP is also planning a big showdown around the great Victory Day.

They said that along with state reforms, the electoral process should also be carried out simultaneously. This will restore confidence in the minds of the people of the country. If a roadmap is not given, the fear among political parties of delaying the elections will increase further. This will also put the parties in uncertainty.

The interim government will have to discuss with the political parties before taking any decision regarding the elections. We are also discussing with the parties. BNP and other parties are committed to providing all kinds of cooperation to the government in its goal of fair elections in the country. But the more the elections are delayed, the more conspiracies will increase. Therefore, there is no alternative to elections to counter the conspiracy, said BNP leaders.

The meeting also discussed the inclusion of three new members in the advisory council. In this regard, they said that two of those appointed here are controversial. BNP is surprised by such a decision. They should have scrutinized and thought about it further. Earlier, BNP had questioned the appointment of former Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumder as an adviser and demanded his resignation.

The meeting also discussed the issue of creating distance between BNP and Jamaat. The party leaders said that we have also agitated with Jamaat in the past to topple the fascist government. We have no distance from them. We want to hold elections with them.

However, the leaders urged continued formal or informal communication with Jamaat so that there is no rift or distance.