Dhaka: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today underscored the need for holding the national election soon for establishing people’s just rights. “We have been deprived of elections for almost 15 years. Quick election is needed now to ensure people’s rights to elect their representatives,” he told a discussion at Jatiya Press Club auditorium marking the 56th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Asad.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shaheed Asad Parishad organized the discussion with its President Dr. Mahbub Ullah in the chair. BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Aman Ullah Aman, BNP Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, and Chief Coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Junaid Saki also spoke. Noting that bureaucracy is still in the same state as it was before, Mirza Fakhrul said, “Starting from the secretariat, bureaucrats are playing the same role as before at all levels of administration. There has been no change yet.”
Discussing the poor state of the country’s current education system, he mentioned that the entire education sector is experiencing significant problems as studies at educational institutions, especially universities, have come to a complete halt. “The health care system has also almost collapsed. These issues stem from the past. Changes in these areas may not be possible in such a short time. That is why we are saying that elections need to be held soon. The government that comes after the elections will be responsible for fulfilling its political commitments,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul emphasized that the focus should not be on who comes into power through the elections, but rather on establishing the rights of the people. “We have been fighting for this for 15 years. We have high expectations from the current interim government. Naturally, after the uprising of the students and the masses, the expectations of the people have increased. But in the current situation in society, we cannot be sure whether our expectations will be fulfilled or not,” he stated.
He further noted that while each political party has different programs they wish to continue, there is a consensus on the necessity of holding an election. Elections, he added, are not solely to empower a party but to create a democratic path. Regarding Shaheed Asad, Mirza Fakhrul remarked, “Shaheed Asad is a name of love for those of us who participated in the student uprising of 1969. Asad is an inspiration in the struggle and movement we waged. Whether his name is in the textbooks or not, whether no one remembers him, no one can separate martyred Asad from history. Asad will remain immortal in the history of this country’s freedom struggle.”
He also reflected on the outcome of the student uprising of 2024, noting that it resulted in the overthrow of a fascist ruler who subsequently fled the country. He recalled the mass uprising of 1969, during which the then military ruler Ayub Khan was forced to resign, but expressed regret that the ultimate goal was not achieved.