BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Friday said the statement of the Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) on the 12th Parliamentary 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 of the country will restore democracy by toppling the current regime through a street movement with fresh programmes, reports UNB.
As his attention was drawn to the ministers’ comments opposing TIB’s statement on the national election, the BNP leader said, “Who didn’t say that this election was not fair… everyone said that the election was not fair. So, what TIB has said is reflection of public opinion.”
Nazrul, a BNP Standing Committee member, said what BNP has been saying about the election is also reflection of public opinion. “So, TIB did not say this (election was not fair) as BNP liked it. What it said was the fact.”
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 parliamentary election as a one-sided one that was staged to appear competitive.
At a press conference, TIB also unveiled the primary findings of their study on the January 7 polls and said 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 organisations disapproving the election held on January 7. “Fairly speaking, weÕll welcome those who speak on behalf of the people of Bangladesh. What we say matters, what people say matters.”
He said the country’s people do not like the autocracy of the current Awami League government which unjustly arrested the 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 criticise injustice, tyranny repression and vote-stealing.”
