Mass movement for democracy will succeed despite attacks: BNP

BNP standing committee member Amir Khashru Mahmud Chowdhury addressing a civic rally organised by the Jatiyatabadi Sangskritik Dal in Dhaka on Thursday.

BNP standing committee member Amir Khashru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Thursday that the government was trying to continue in power by creating an atmosphere while its economic model was to loot national resources.

Addressing a civic rally organized in Dhaka against price hike of gas, oil, electricity, essentials and repeated attack on BNP joint secretary general Khairul Kabir Khokan, he said that the government was using using party and state terror for the purpose. Laws are being used to facilitate their accession to and continuing in power. A section of the law enforcing agencies werew applying these laws, he said.

Jatiyatabadi Sangakritik Dal organized the civic rally with Humayun Kabir Bepari in the chair. BNP vice chairman Barkatullah Bulu, executive committee member ANM Rahmatullah, editor of GreenWatch Dhaka, Mostafa Kamal Majumder and JCD senior joint convener Muniruzzaman Munir addressed the rally. 

jagpa central leader, Asaduzzaman Asad, Kaiser Ahmed of Ulama Dal, Ilyas Hossain, ex-VP Narasingdi College also spoke at the function.

Amir Khashru Mahmud Chowdhury said AL members are getting dollar to open LCs, import goods and control the market forming syndicates. Due to such politics there was famine in the country back in 1974. AL was in power at that time.

Due to pressure of price hike and lack of avenues to earn enough money middle class people are now seen in TCB queues to get food items at cheaper rates. Many people remain unfed or half-fed. But looters are taking money out of the country. 

He said, ‘We are a signatory to the UN Human Rights declaration for the country to be ruled by a government elected through free and fair election. US visiting delegation says there is no compromise on democracy, human rights and press freedom. But an authoritarian government now in power is abusing the voting right of the people, he said.

There is no security life and property of the people. Not even foreign envoys are immune. It's a question of legitimacy of people who are choosing MPs, Ministers and the President. The only way out is to drive the undemocratic govt out and restore democracy.

He alleged that there is no education in schools and colleges now. There is only indoctrination for the government to continue in power. This cannot continue, he added.

BNP vice-chairman and former minister Barkatullah Bulu asked the government why it chose an ex-ACC man as President, and why it can't trust veteran AL leaders for this position. He said that the AL nominee for the highest post was a director of the Islami Bank Board when its resources were looted recently.

He said that Bangladesh has been excluded from US democracy summit for the second time in a row as they do not believe there is democracy in the country.

Referring to attacks on BNP joint secretary general Khairul Kabir Khokan, ne said this happened not only at processions but also at his residence indicating a sinister motive.

By doing this the government cannot stop mass rallies which are now supported by the people. The people will make the movement a success. Referring to price hike of gas, oil electricity and essential food items, he asked why the government had done an agreement to buy power for Taka 17 a unit from the Adani Group in India.

BNP executive committee member ANM Rahmatullah said that the ruling party has become afraid of the mass movement that has gone down to the Union level. This cannot be stopped by launching attacks he said adding that the people will crown the movement with success to restore democracy in the country.

- GreenWatch Dhaka report