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Yes vote will reshape parliament's power structure: Hasnat
National Citizen Party (NCP) southern region chief organizer Hasnat Abdullah said winning the 'Yes' vote in the referendum would change the existing power structure of the parliament.
"We have seen Tarique Rahman, Nahid Islam and Dr Shafiqur Rahman taking a stand in favour of the 'Yes' vote," he said, adding that it was 'regrettable' the Jatiya Party had taken a position in favour of the 'No' vote.
Hasnat Abdullah made the remarks while addressing an election rally in support of Akhter Hossen, member-secretary of the NCP and the 11-party alliance-backed candidate for Rangpur-4 (Kawnia-Pirgachha), at the Kawnia Model Primary School ground on Sunday night.
He said the Jatiya Party, an ally of 'Awami fascism', would be formally buried on February 12, the day of voting.
Criticising vote-buying practices, Hasnat Abdullah urged voters to reject candidates who distribute money, saris or other inducements ahead of elections. "A one-day mistake will make you suffer for the next five years," he warned.
Addressing voters, he said the NCP would not distribute money or goods before elections. "You work for me for the 10 days before the election, and I will work for you for the next five years," he said.
At the rally, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan alleged that 'fascist forces' were attempting to regain power with support from neibouring country, but said the people were prepared to resist such efforts.
He said sacrifices were necessary to ensure voting rights and warned against attempts to use intimidation or muscle power to influence the polls.
Asif Mahmud also said that if the NCP voted to power, incidents including the Shapla Chattar and BDR killings, the deaths during the July Uprising, and the killing of Osman Hadi would be brought to trial.
He said the 11-party alliance was committed to establishing good governance and redefining the relationship between the state and the people. "We want the state to see the people not as slaves, but as employers," he added.
Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Moulana Abdul Halim, Jatiya Jubo Shakti central convener Tariqul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Vice-principal ATM Azam Khan, and leaders of NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami, among others, also spoke at the rally, reports BSS.