BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has remarked that the Universal Pension scheme introduced by the Awami League government is another ploy to embezzle public money.
The Awami League intends to misappropriate these funds for their own purposes, including potential vote-buying, he said while addressing a BNP mass procession organised by Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP on Friday (18 August) afternoon.
The procession, which commenced at Dayaganj in the capital, is scheduled to conclude its route at Khilgaon, passing through locations such as Sayedabad Bridge, Dhalpur Community Center, Golapbagh, Kamalapur, and the Buddhist Temple.
While speaking at the rally, Mirza Fakhrul said, “Restore our rights to vote, freedom of expression, the right to live, and lower the prices of daily essentials, including oil and lentils.”
Mirza Fakhrul went on to say, “The Awami League has transformed the entire country into a prison.
“Why the arrests? They have been carried out in fear. The Awami League has been in fear, and even Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ceased wearing new sarees. They are concerned about the money they have laundered. This situation has worsened further, with US agencies demanding a hearing about Bangladesh.”
Mirza Fakhrul commented that the Awami League has no way to escape.
“I urge you to step down now and conduct a fair election under a non-partisan, neutral caretaker government by forming a new Election Commission.”
During his address at the rally, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said, “Sheikh Hasina will not be able to maintain her hold on power. We will not participate in any election under her leadership. We must rescue and secure our democratic rights. If India intends to support Sheikh Hasina’s return to power, as they did in the 2014 election, the 18 crore people of this country will not stand idly.”
Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury pointed out that the Awami League criticizes Americans in the morning but greets them with flowers in the afternoon.
He also added that those who support democracy in Bangladesh are our allies.
BNP organised the ralles to press home their one-point demand for a non-partisan polls-time government. The party is scheduled to hold mass processions all across the country including Dhaka at 3pm today (18 August). Like-minded parties are also holding processions along with BNP.
BNP standing committee members, senior leaders and leaders of its associate organisations also took part in the rallies.
At the same time, Dhaka North BNP started its mass procession from Gulshan-2. It is scheduled to end at the Mohakhali bus stand via Gulshan-1 and Titumir College.
BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas addressed the rally as the chief guest in this procession. BNP standing committee members, senior leaders and leaders of its affiliates were also present there.
After Friday prayers, leaders and activists started gathering at the starting points to join the mass processions. They were seen chanting slogans demanding the release of Khaleda Zia.
Members of the law enforcement agencies were seen on alert.
