Opposition will not leave streets until democracy is restored: BNP

BNP’s senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday unequivocally said that the opposition parties who have been on a movement will not leave the streets until democracy is restored.

“We would like to say clearly that no other system except democracy will ever work in Bangladesh,” he said.

Speaking at a mass signature collection programme arranged by Nagorik Oikya in the capital, the BNP leader also said that the current Awami League government is ruling the country by the power of guns after usurping the state power.

“It’s not only us who are saying this now, look at the media around the world and look at the statements issued by different countries about the farcical election held on January 7. They echoed what we, the democratic opposition parties, have been saying for the last few years about the farcical elections,” he observed.

Dr Moyeen, a BNP standing committee member, said that it is established at home and abroad that democracy is now dead in Bangladesh.

He said their party’s only goal is to bring democracy back to Bangladesh. “Inshallah, our movement for democracy will continue... We won’t leave the streets until we can restore democracy and the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh.”

The BNP leader expressed hope that every person in the country will join Nagorik Oikya’s mass signature programme against the farcical elections. He also urged the people to reject the current regime.

Nagorik Oikya launched the mass signature collection programme in favour of democracy and to disapprove of the January-7 national election in front of the Jatiya Press Club.

The organisers said the signatures of the people of all walks of life will be collected in various places of Dhaka city and in districts and upazilas, and internationally through online as part of the party’s move to turn down the 12th parliamentary election and to justify the opposition parties’ demand for the restoration of democracy through a fresh election under a neutral government.

Nagrik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said Awami League arranged a lopsided farcical election on January 7 as it is not capable of contesting a fair and inclusive election.

“That is why we have arranged this signature collection programme. We will try to reach not only 10 crore voters in Bangladesh, but also 17-18 crore people of the country. Our programme -- mass signature for democracy -- will continue both offline and online,” he said.

Manna said they will also organise cultural programmes across the country in favour of democracy and to condemn the government formed by deceiving the country’s people.

Alongside the mass signature programme, he said their party together with other opposition parties will continue democratic programmes simultaneously on the streets.

“There is no reason for anyone to think that we left the streets as we are collecting signatures,” he said.

“We are collecting signatures to strengthen the street movement. We are trying to build such a struggle that will force the usurper to bow down,” Manna said.