Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir warned against attempts to erase the history of 1971, urging the people to defend the nation鈥檚 democratic gains.
He also reiterated the party鈥檚 demand for the Jatiya Sangsad elections by February 2026.
He was speaking at an event marking the second death anniversary of Democratic League leader聽 Saifuddin Ahmed, organised by the National Democratic Party at Dhaka Reporters鈥� Unity in the capital.
Fakhrul commented that a small number of people were trying to make the nation forget the Liberation War.
鈥楤ecause of the 1971 war we became independent. As we are independent, we can now think afresh about the state and take part in struggles to improve the conditions of the people of Bangladeshi,鈥� he said.
Fakhrul warned of conspiracies aimed at destabilising the democratic progress but expressed confidence in the people鈥檚 ability to overcome all the plots.
He criticised the proposed proportional representation method, saying that the people did not understand it.
Fakhrul further said that the people of the country would not accept the PR method, asserting that the citizens would not accept anything imposed on them and they wanted elections without undemocratic shortcuts.
He said that the people wanted elections to restore democratic governance and fulfill national aspirations.
Reflecting on the past 15 years, he described the period as dominated by a 鈥榝ascist鈥� party that undermined Bangladesh鈥檚 democracy, economy, and national spirit, adding that following its defeat a new opportunity had emerged to rebuild the country as a genuine democratic state.
The BNP leader highlighted the BNP鈥檚 long-standing support for reform, defending the party against accusations of opposing change and its commitment to constructive, democratic reform.
He also outlined the party鈥檚 plans to address socio-economic issues, including employment generation, economic revitalisation, fair wage calculations, and investment initiatives, particularly to tackle unemployment among over 40 lakh young people.