BNP: TIB statement on election reflects public opinion

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Friday said Transparency International Bangladesh’s (TIB) statement on the January 7 election is a reflection of public opinion.

Talking to reporters at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, he also said their party, together with the people, will restore democracy by toppling the current “regime” through a street movement with fresh programs.

As his attention was drawn to the comments of some ministers opposing TIB’s statement, the BNP leader said: “Who did not say that this election was not fair? … everyone said the election was not fair. So what TIB has said is a reflection of public opinion.”

Nazrul, a BNP Standing Committee member, said what the BNP has been saying about the election is also a reflection of public opinion. 

“So TIB did not say this (election was not fair) as BNP liked it. What it said was the fact,” he said. 

Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, led by the party standing committee members, paid homage to its founder Ziaur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave, marking his 88th birth anniversary.

Earlier on Wednesday, TIB described the 12th national parliamentary election as one-sided, staged to appear competitive.

At a press conference, TIB also unveiled the primary findings of their study on the January 7 polls and said such an election was an ominous sign for the country's democracy and the future of elections.

Nazrul appreciated the opinions given by local and foreign organizations disapproving of the election held on January 7. 

“Fairly speaking, we will welcome those who speak on behalf of the people of Bangladesh. What we say matters, what people say matters," he said. 

He said: “The country’s people do not like the autocracy of the current Awami League government which unjustly arrested BNP leaders and activists, including Begum Khaleda Zia, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Shamsuzzaman Dudu and Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal. We condemn it. We also thank all those who criticize injustice, tyrannical repression and vote-rigging."

The BNP leader said democracy restored by Ziaur Rahman was again destroyed by the Awami League government. “We will let you know about various programs of the ongoing movement to restore that democracy,” he added. 

Nazrul said Ziaur Rahman brought back democracy by ending the “despotic rule” of Baksal while Khaleda Zia restored democracy by ending Ershad's military dictatorship.

“We are now fighting to restore democracy under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. On the birth anniversary of Ziaur Rahman, we take a fresh vow that we will restore democracy in the country as soon as possible with the help of the democracy-loving people of this country,” he said.

The BNP and its associated bodies are celebrating the 88th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on Friday with various programs.

Born on January 19, 1936, in Bagbari of Bogra, Ziaur Rahman founded BNP in 1978 and became the country’s seventh president. Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.

Source: UNB