BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has asserted that the nation is not safe in the hands of those who opposed the country’s independence in 1971.
He made the remarks during an election campaign meeting in the West Akcha area of the Thakurgaon-1 constituency on Saturday morning.
Referring to a political party using the “Scales” symbol, Fakhrul said the group did not support the War of Independence and was responsible for killings and atrocities against women, but has yet to apologise for its actions.
Addressing the gathering, the BNP leader warned people against financial scams and urged them not to share their bKash numbers with anyone.
He dismissed claims that voting for a particular party would guarantee a place in heaven, describing such assertions as fraud and deception, and said the upcoming election would decide the future of the country.
Fakhrul alleged that the country had suffered extensive damage over the past 15 to 16 years, claiming that banks had been emptied and money laundered abroad.
He said the right person must be elected to bring the country back on track and urged people to avoid unnecessary disputes.
Reflecting on his political career, Fakhrul said he had been involved in politics solely for the welfare and peace of the people.
“I was also a minister, and no one can say I even took a cup of tea as a bribe,” he said, adding that the upcoming polls would be his final election.
Outlining the BNP’s pledges under the leadership of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul said agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000, including interest, would be waived if the party came to power.
He said the government would also take responsibility for NGO loans, particularly those taken by mothers.
Fakhrul added that a BNP government would introduce ‘family cards’ for mothers and ‘agriculture cards’ for farmers.
He further pledged to create jobs for 10 million educated unemployed youths within 18 months.
He concluded by saying peace and order would be restored, ensuring that people of all religions could live together in harmony.
