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BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday said their party wants to quickly restore democracy in Bangladesh through a credible election for the country’s progress.
“We, the BNP, want to bring back democracy in the country as soon as possible and the only way to achieve that is through a fair election,” he said while speaking to reporters at party founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave.
He said no nation can hold its head high in the present world without democracy.
Dr Moyeen, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, along with leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Baul Dal, paid tribute to Zia by placing a wreath at his grave, marking the 18th founding anniversary of the Baul organisation.
Stating that Bangladesh was created for democracy, he said, “Democracy couldn’t exist within the infrastructure of Pakistan. The people of East Pakistan at that time believed this, so they initiated a movement for democracy (and liberated the country).”
After the country's liberation, the BNP leader said the Awami League, which claims to be the main force behind the independence, shamefully and disgracefully destroyed democracy—the main spirit of the Liberation War.
After independence, he alleged that the party first established a one-party Baksal rule and later introduced an unwritten Baksal system.
As the people of Bangladesh did not accept that system, he said, the Sheikh Hasina regime was ultimately forced to flee on 5 August 2024 as a result of public outrage.
Dr Moyeen claimed that the BNP believes in both the independence of Bangladesh and democracy. “Our founder Ziaur Rahman sacrificed his life for the democracy of Bangladesh.”
He said their party has long been struggling for the restoration of democracy, and insisted that it must be reinstated very soon.
The BNP leader said one-party rulers may showcase power, but they do not win the love of the people. “That is why we, BNP, do not believe in the politics of revenge. We advocate for the rights and freedoms of all.”
He observed that the media in Bangladesh has not enjoyed press freedom over the past 15 years. “We want freedom of speech for everyone. We want freedom of the media.”