Staff Correspondent

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that a conspiracy is underway to foil the national election scheduled for February next year.

“Trouble began the moment the idea of holding the election in February was set. Their intention is clear — they don’t want the election to happen. But the people of this country have always fought for their rights and achieved them through struggle. This election too will be held within the announced timeframe,” Fakhrul said.

He made the remarks while addressing an event ‘Remembering the Martyred Students of the July Movement,’ organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Dhaka University’s TSC on Thursday afternoon.

Calling the student martyrs the vanguard of the anti-fascist movement, Fakhrul said, “We have overcome fascism and created opportunities. But conspiracies haven’t stopped. There are planned efforts to restrict the transition to democracy. Social media is being used to launch smear campaigns against our leaders. Even obscene and abusive language is being used against our leader Tarique Rahman.”

Criticising the conspiracy what he claimed, the BNP leader said Tarique Rahman is already established as a national leader. They (plotters) fear if he returns, their position will be threatened.

“Our struggle is not over. Our enemies are all around. Remember, BNP means democracy, BNP means freedom, BNP means development. We will take Bangladesh to the pinnacle of development,” he asserted.

Alerting the party activists about the traps being set to provoke them, he said they (plotters) want them to react, create unrest and derail the path to democracy.

Highlighting the July mass uprising, Fakhrul said credit goes to people—from farmers to veiled women—everyone united for a democratic Bangladesh.

Fakhrul expressed frustration that many injured activists still haven’t received any assistance. “Why hasn’t this government ensured their support yet?” he questioned.