Fakhrul fears conflict if govt doesn’t step down

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today feared that the country might descend into conflict if the government does not step down.

"Please resign. Take steps for holding a free and fair election so that the people of Bangladesh can exercise their franchise to elect a government," he said while addressing a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.

Stating that a fair election under the Awami League government is not possible, Fakhrul said, "It has been proven. We've participated in two consecutive elections in the past."

On the European Union's decision to not send full-fledged election observation team to Bangladesh during the next general election, the BNP leader said, "EU sent a team a few weeks ago to observe the situation in the country. The EU observation team engaged in talks extensively with stakeholders from all political parties."

"Their message is unequivocal, there is no conducive atmosphere for conducting free and fair election in the country, and therefore it is not feasible to deploy observer teams here," Fakhrul said.

He said the BNP is continuing with its peaceful protests despite facing numerous provocations, including arrests, legal actions, and physical abuses.

Fakhrul said his party has decided to extend its 15-day programme by an additional 2 days until October 5,

Earlier, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan announced the 15-day programme from September 19 to October 3 as part of its one-point movement to topple the government.