Mirza Fakhrul Calls for Referendum to Be Held on Parliamentary Election Day

Politics

Mirza Fakhrul Calls for Referendum to Be Held on Parliamentary Election Day

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Speaking as the chief guest at a memorial service organized at Jessore Town Hall on Thursday (November 6) afternoon to mark the seventh death anniversary of BNP Standing Committee member and former minister Tariqul Islam, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the referendum must be held on the day of the national elections. He firmly stated that no referendum will be allowed before the elections.

He said that some political parties are trying to create an unstable environment in the country and sabotage the elections by raising various demands. The people will not accept attempts to postpone the elections. He also warned that the democracy achieved at the cost of many sacrifices will not be allowed to be destroyed by the conspiracy of any group.

Warning the political parties, the BNP Secretary General said, “We have shown responsibility so far, we have not taken to the streets. Remember, BNP is not a floating party; it is a party built by the people.”

He further said, “Don’t muddy the waters for political gains. Don’t destabilize the country, don’t throw the people into unrest. We have fought a lot, cases have been filed against 6 million people, 20,000 people have lost their lives. The people will not accept any new unrest.”

Urging the speedy announcement of the election schedule, Mirza Fakhrul said, “Don’t delay any longer, announce the election schedule immediately and move forward based on the decision made regarding reforms in October. Otherwise, the government will fail and we will have to bear the responsibility ourselves.”

Criticizing the biased behavior of the Consensus Commission, he said, “You are now saying that the political parties will sit and decide. So what have you done so far? We have always gone to the commission and given our opinions, but you did not give it importance.”

Jessore District BNP President Syed Saberul Haque presided over the memorial meeting. BNP candidates from five constituencies in Jessore—Mofiqul Hasan, Sabira Sultana, Anindya Islam, T.S. Ayub and Kazi Rawonkul Islam—addressed the meeting. The program was moderated by District BNP General Secretary Delwar Hossain.

At the end of the meeting, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir introduced the candidates from Jessore and urged the party leaders and workers to work unitedly in the elections.