BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said while the fascist Awami League government has been removed through a popular movement, a religion-based force is now attempting to become more active.
Speaking as the chief guest at an extended meeting organised at the Thakurgaon District BNP office on Friday afternoon, Fakhrul warned that this particular group is not a democratic political party and aims to establish a Sharia-based state.
He noted that a political party which opposed the country’s independence during the 1971 Liberation War is currently trying to build a vote bank by influencing devout people, especially women.
Emphasising that the people of Bangladesh believe in liberal politics, he added that although the citizens are religious, they are not extremists.
Fakhrul added that people of all communities, including Hindus and Muslims, wish to coexist peacefully and urged grassroots activists to play an active role in countering misleading propaganda.
Regarding the “July Charter” and the proposed referendum, the BNP Secretary General clarified that the document explicitly mentions who gave consent and who did not.
He said these matters would be implemented based on the election manifesto of whichever party forms the government following the people’s mandate. He reaffirmed that the BNP remains committed to the July Charter.
Fakhrul also criticised the 11-party alliance, mentioning that they enjoy no public support. He claimed that attendance at their various programmes across the country has been extremely thin.
Addressing the upcoming local government elections, Fakhrul announced that the BNP would not contest using the party symbol. However, he stressed the importance of coordination at every union and ward level to select a single candidate.
He warned that fielding multiple candidates could lead to a division of votes. The meeting was attended by several senior leaders, including Thakurgaon District BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin and General Secretary Paigam Ali.
