Staff Reporter:
Leaders of different political parties that are in a simultaneous anti-government movement with the BNP could not outline any convincing course of action in continuation of their movement at an Iftar party in the capital on Thursday.
The BNP organized the Iftar party at a city hotel, attended by leaders of various political parties, including the Jamaat-e-Islami and Nagorik Oikya. BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman joined the program virtually as the chief guest.
Surprisingly, leaders from different political parties stressed continuing their anti-government movement without mentioning each other’s names.
In his speech, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam said: “We are going through difficult times. The fascist forces are working to establish one-party rule over the entire nation, destroying all our hopes and aspirations. All of us need to be united. Those who want democracy, a welfare state, must carry out a movement keeping the 31-point program in mind. Our movement must end with realizing the one-point movement with which we began our journey.”
Mirza Fakhrul remembered former president Ziaur Rahman, martyrs of the Liberation War, leaders, and activists who sacrificed their lives for democracy in the country.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya and a key leader of Ganatantra Mancha, said: “There has been no material change in the country since January 7. People are politically organized. People feel that this battle has to be won. The better we unite, the better we will march forward. This should be today’s oath.”
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said: “The whole nation is now victims of oppression.”
He prayed to the Almighty, seeking strength to continue the opposition struggle and remain united.
BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said: “We have passed a stage of our movement. We will say goodbye to this authoritarian government. We believe in unity. We will unite the nation and establish democracy.”
Selima Rahman, another member of the party’s Standing Committee, said: “We are in a deep crisis. Our movement was successful, and the people boycotted the vote. Now we will build a movement and remove this government through strategic and policy changes.”
Jatiya Ganotantrik Party leader Khandkar Lutfur Rahman took a swipe at India in his speech. He alleged that the government is not even allowing Iftar parties to be held.
Shahadat Hossain Salim, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, Bangladesh, said: “Now is not the time to see who is right, who is left (politically), or who is in the middle. We will march together on the streets. We have to do politics of unity.
Maulana Nesharul Haque led the prayers at the Iftar party, while Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie presided over the event.
Meanwhile, the BNP is scheduled to attend the Jamaat’s Iftar party at Hotel Sonargaon and AB Party’s Iftar party at Hotel Amari on Thursday. Party sources said that leaders from the BNP will attend both events.
