Next polls a ‘hard test’ for country's future: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday described the next national elections as a "hard test" for the country's future.

"The election will decide whether Bangladesh remains under liberal democracy or falls into the hands of extremist and anti-state forces," he said at a discussion organised at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in the capital to mark the 90th birth anniversary of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.

Senior BNP leaders, including Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman, and Mirza Abbas, also spoke at the meeting.

Fakhrul claimed that a planned campaign of misinformation is ongoing around the election.

He asserted that if the election is held, BNP will win by a landslide.

"BNP hopes the election will restore the country to a democratic path. Through this process, BNP aims to solve the country's problems and build a new Bangladesh."

The BNP leader added that the party had already presented plans for state reform during its political movements.

"Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia first presented Vision 2030 in 2016, and later BNP's current chairman, Tarique Rahman, proposed a 32-point reform plan after consultations with other political parties."

Fakhrul also said that many of the reforms currently being discussed were first proposed by BNP in 2022.

"All the reform ideas now under discussion came from BNP. This reform is like our own child," he added, emphasising the party's full commitment.

Without naming any party, Fakhrul accused some political forces of deliberately spreading confusion.

He noted that while BNP did not fully agree with some issues, the party accepted them in the greater national interest.

Speaking on religion and politics, Mirza Fakhrul said, "Groups that did not accept Bangladesh in the past and opposed its independence are now misleading people by exploiting religion."

He criticised claims that voting for a certain symbol could "guarantee entry to heaven."

He reaffirmed BNP's stance on religion, reminding that Ziaur Rahman had added "Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim" to the constitution and emphasised faith in Allah.

Referring to uncertainty around the election, Fakhrul said only 23 days remain, yet some claim the election may not be allowed to take place.

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