Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that a conspiracy was underway to undermine the upcoming general election and urged the people to remain vigilant.
He made the remarks in a discussion at the National Press Club in Dhaka to mark the 10th death anniversary of political leader Kazi Zafar Ahmed.
Bhasani Janashakti Party and Bhasani Anushari Parishad jointly organised the event.
Fakhrul claimed that certain political groups were deliberately attempting to disrupt the electoral process by raising demands unfamiliar to the Bangladeshis.
The demands include proportional representation voting, he said.
He also alleged that elements within the government were actively working so that democratic political forces could not come to power.
鈥楴o one is idle. Those seeking to benefit from this situation are working in various ways,鈥� he said.
He called on the supporters of democracy and followers of Kazi Zafar to unite, agree on core issues, and move forward without hesitation, even if it required sacrifices.
Fakhrul referred to a newspaper report claiming that a prominent individual involved in major bank embezzlement, S Alam, had allegedly transferred Tk 2,500 crore to the ousted dictator, Sheikh Hasina, in Delhi.
He said that the funds were intended to manipulate the elections and secure her return to power.
Fakhrul expressed concern that despite promises of change, widespread corruption and the erosion of public trust persisted, with some political leaders becoming complicit and causing further harm to the country.
Recalling the 1971 Liberation War, Fakhrul said that attempts were being made to erase the memory of the war, but it could never be forgotten.
鈥榃e witnessed the humiliation of our mothers and sisters, the killings of our brothers, and attacks on our communities. Those who collaborated then are now making grand claims,鈥� he said.
Fakhrul called for swift action to finalise electoral reforms and implement the election schedule, urging all political parties to focus on elections and ensure genuine representation of the people.
He argued that had the national election been held within three months of the mass uprising, the country would not have suffered the current economic situation, and a government with a mandate could have countered anti-democratic forces.
Jatiya Party faction chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider said that the people of the country were waiting eagerly to cast their votes for democratic transition in the election in a free, fair and credible manner.
Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh general secretary Saiful Huq said that聽it was the duty of the interim government to hold the next general election by February in a credible manner.
Chaired by Bhashani Onusari Parishad chairman Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, the meeting was addressed, among others, by JP faction secretary general Ahsan Habib Linkan, Bhashani Onusari Parishad leader Abu Yusuf Selim.
