BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep concern that a conspiracy is underway to derail the upcoming national parliamentary election.
“Today, some political quarters are deliberately raising new and unfamiliar demands to obstruct and derail the election process. They are talking about issues like proportional representation and proportional voting– concepts that are not familiar to the people of Bangladesh,” he told a discussion at the National Press Club on Wednesday.
“These are complex and difficult to understand, and they are using them as threats in a very loud and forceful manner. My question is– why are they doing this?” Fakhrul said.
He further alleged that certain groups within the government are “consciously trying to ensure that pro-democracy forces cannot take part in the upcoming election.”
Stressing the urgency of reforms, Fakhrul called for the immediate declaration of the July Charter, saying “I still say there is time– count your senses. Quickly finalise the reforms and avoid complicating the situation further. Take concrete steps to implement the election arrangements that have been announced.”
The BNP Secretary General urged the government to bring political parties into an election-oriented environment and ensure true representation of the people through free and fair polls.
“There is no alternative other than holding an inclusive election,” he added.
