Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that conspiracies were under way to thwart the people鈥檚 aspiration for a democratic transition through elections in Bangladesh.
He made the allegation while addressing a memorial event in honour of the martyrs of the July-August mass uprising, organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at the TSC auditorium of Dhaka University in the capital.
鈥榃e have freed ourselves from fascism. A new opportunity has emerged to restore democracy. But conspiracies have not ended. The forces of fascism are still active,鈥� Fakhrul said.
He said that certain quarters and vested interests have been attempting to obstruct the electoral process since a meeting between BNP acting chair Tarique Rahman and the interim government chief adviser in London, where it was confirmed that elections would be held in mid-February 2026.
Fakhrul claimed that efforts were under way 鈥� particularly through social media 鈥� to obstruct the rise of democratic forces.
He said that personal attacks and vulgar languages were being directed at their leaders, including Tarique Rahman, out of fear, as Tarique had already established himself as a national leader.
He urged party supporters to remain calm and not fall into any traps designed to provoke confrontation.
鈥楾he struggle is not over. We must move forward along the path shown by our leadership 鈥� with patience, tolerance, and peacefully,鈥� he added.
At a separate event, BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that they had never expected that fascist elements would dare to attack National Citizen Party 鈥� whether in Gopalganj or elsewhere.
He said that it was beyond imagination that the nation would witness a scene where the forces of the fallen dictator regime would target young political activists.
Speaking as the chief guest at a rally organised by Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal in front of the BNP鈥檚 central office at Nayapaltan in the capital, ahead of a protest procession, he urged emerging political forces to act responsibly and avoid actions that could unintentionally aid fascist elements seeking to destabilise Bangladesh鈥檚 democratic movement.
鈥楤ecause of their inexperience, the NCP has created situations that reactionary forces are now exploiting. We have always advised these young leaders to gain greater political maturity. Even today, we offer them the same advice with sincerity,鈥� he said.
He called on the NCP to use careful language and develop well-thought-out political programmes, warning against actions that could fracture the anti-fascist democratic alliance.
Salahuddin also alleged that the government鈥檚 indifference and failure to maintain the law and order have emboldened defeated forces to create unrest and challenge the country鈥檚 democratic forces.
He said that groups seeking the return of fascism in Bangladesh were deliberately engineering issues to malign the BNP and discredit the broader pro-democracy movement.
The rally was presided over by Juba Dal central president Abdul Monayem Munna and conducted by general secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan.
Following the rally, a protest procession marched from Nayapaltan, passing through Nightingale Crossing and the National Press Club, before concluding at Shahbagh.