Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday called for national unity against the Awami League and claimed that the country鈥檚 people no longer supported the fascist party.
He made the remarks while addressing a massive youth rally organised by Juba Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal at Polo Ground in Chattogram city.
Addressing the rally as the chief guest, Mirza Fakhrul said, 鈥楾oday, we are holding this rally here, another is being held in New Market, and more are taking place in Dhaka. The demand is clear, ban the Awami League. The people of Bangladesh have rejected them. They established a fascist, one-party Baksal rule.鈥�
鈥楾he first reforms in this country came from Ziaur Rahman who ensured press freedom and laid the foundation for the garment sector that drives our economy today. Khaleda Zia introduced the caretaker government system,鈥� he said.
鈥極ur youths want business opportunities, jobs, and peace in educational institutions. They want a democratic country where everyone can speak freely. We want to establish such a kind of democracy. One of the goals of today鈥檚 rally is to awaken the youth to rise against conspiracies and reclaim their rights,鈥� he said.
Referring to BNP鈥檚 legacy, Fakhrul said, 鈥榋iaur Rahman fought for a democratic nation, Khaleda Zia worked for democracy, and Tarique Rahman envisions a modern Bangladesh. We do not seek anything at the cost of our sovereignty.鈥�
鈥楾hat鈥檚 why Tarique Rahman says, 鈥淏angladesh comes first.鈥� He has declared that the final battle will be fought on the streets and that is exactly what is happening,鈥� he said.
The rally brought together activists and supporters from all 13 districts of Chattogram division.
Though the rally was scheduled to be held in the afternoon, thousands of leaders and activists began to gather at the rally ground before noon, flooding the Polo Ground and surrounding areas.
The influx of party leaders and activists caused severe traffic congestion, halting vehicular movement within a one-kilometer radius of the venue.
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman joined the rally virtually from London.
BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Chattogram city mayor Shahadat Hossain addressed the rally as special guests.
National cricket team鈥檚 former captain Tamim Iqbal attended the rally.
Clarifying that he was there not as a political figure but as a sportsperson, he raised concern about the lack of players from Chattogram in the national cricket team.
He called for a solution to address the issue.
BNP joint secretary general Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, publicity secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, assistant organising secretary Barrister Mir Helal, Juba Dal president Abdul Monayem Munna, general secretary Nurul Islam Nayan, Swechhasebak Dal president SM Zilani, Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam Rakib, Chattogram city BNP convener Md Ershad Ullah, and member secretary Nazimur Rahman Nazim, among others, also spoke.
The rally was moderated by Swechhasebak Dal general secretary Rajib Ahsan and Chhatra Dal general secretary Nasir Uddin.