BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday reaffirmed the commitment to building a democratic state and society, speaking at an event marking the 21st founding anniversary of the Biplobi Workers Party.
The discussion, held at Dhaka Reporters Unity, brought together senior leaders from the BNP and other parties. The event was presided over by Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, who emphasised the need for broader political unity to sustain movements for justice, rights, and democratic transformation.
“Our coalition with the Biplobi Workers Party is rooted in shared goals,” Fakhrul said. “Together, we offered a 31-point reform plan aimed at transforming the nation. This is not just about opposing autocracy, it’s about the vision for reform.”
Fakhrul described the coalition’s reform agenda as a new roadmap for Bangladesh, promising to restore democratic values and empower its citizens.
Other BNP leaders echoed similar sentiments. Standing Committee Member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku dismissed provocative claims that Pakistan’s disintegration in 1971 was a misunderstanding. “It was discrimination, plain and simple,” he said. “Just as the left and right came together to challenge the ousted regime, now we must protect that unity.”
BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie added, “We fought fascism side by side. Now it is our responsibility to rebuild the country with the same unity.”
Biplobi Workers Party leader Saiful Haque highlighted the legacy of popular uprisings in Bangladesh and the urgency of resisting authoritarian rule. “We must carry forward the spirit of the people’s struggle,” he said. “A united front is essential to achieving lasting change.”
Nagarik Oikya’s Mahmudur Rahman Manna stressed the centrality of electoral politics: “There is no alternative to elections — they must take place, and they must be free.”
Meanwhile, Mirza Fakhrul expressed deep concern over the sharp rise in deposits by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks last year, saying it has shown the extent of looting by the Awami League’s corrupt elements and mafias.
“I was disheartened to see newspaper reports indicating a significant increase in the amount of money deposited in Swiss banks (by Bangladeshis)…It clearly reflects the massive scale of plundering carried out by the mafia and looter clique during the fascist rule,” he said.
Fakhrul added that he did not exactly know who, when, or how such a large amount of money was deposited in the Swiss banks. “But after seeing this news, every patriotic person may wonder whether any real change has taken place after the mass uprising… If the report pertains to the year 2024, it is authentic,” he said.
The event saw participation from leaders of multiple political parties, including Gono Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Bangladesh JaSad, AB Party, Nagarik Oikya, NCP, NDM, NDP, and Gana Samhati Andolon.