Staff Reporter:
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will reinstate the country’s ruined democracy, replacing the fascism established by the defeated Awami League during its 15-year rule.
“Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman replaced Baksal with democracy, Khaleda Zia revived democracy from the graveyard of military dictatorship and Tarique Rahman will restore democracy in place of fascism,” said Nazrul Islam Khan, standing committee member of BNP, on Friday.
While addressing a doa mahfil held at the BNP Nayapaltan central office in Dhaka, marking the 81st birthday of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Khan said that those who were ousted from power took many years to return.
The Muslim League could never return, while it took the Awami League 21 years, but under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, BNP regained power in just nine years, he said.
“The chief architect of this achievement was Begum Khaleda Zia. It was under her leadership that the history of replacing military dictatorship with multi-party democracy was written. After she (Khaleda) assumed office, Bangladesh’s economic situation experienced a turnaround,” he said.
Founded under the leadership of Ziaur Rahman, BNP has traversed a long path in establishing democracy. Many have left him along the way, but Khaleda Zia took the helm during the party’s darkest hours and restored democracy, replacing the then-military dictatorship, he added.
Participating in the programme, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, also a standing committee member of the party, said that the country’s democracy remains out of reach, as a conspiracy is underway to thwart the election.
“We must remain united so that democracy is not trampled by falling into someone’s pre-planned trap,” he further said.
While addressing the programme, Mirza Abbas, also a standing committee member of BNP, demanded punishment of those who sent Khaleda Zia to jail. “We have seen exactly who tortured her in jail,” added the BNP leader.
