Dhaka/

Advisor to BNP Chairperson Zainul Abedin Farooq said that the first people who killed democracy after independence are still the same ones who have killed the country’s democracy again. The people of the country have no freedom to speak, no freedom to criticize, no freedom to speak about rising prices, no freedom to speak against injustice. Therefore, in order to bring back democracy and freedom of speech, all the opposition parties must unite and form the Durbar movement. This will pave the way for a fair and free election. People will get their voting rights back.

He said these things on Friday at a discussion on “Which way is an acceptable election” organized by the Center for Democracy and Peace Studies. The discussion meeting was held at Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club. Chairman of the People’s Freedom Alliance. Under the chairmanship of Shahriar Iftekhar Fuad, general secretary of revolutionary workers party Saiful Haque, former secretary Kashem Masood and chief coordinator of Ganamukti Jot Abu Layem Munna gave speeches.

Farooq said that all parties should work together for democracy. Democracy means freedom of speech. Freedom of criticism should be given. Administration should be given freedom. Administration must be separated from political chauvinism. Referring to the government, Farooq said, we want to go to the elections, but under whom, how? Free and fair elections are not possible in the current system. And to have a free and fair election, you have to resign and dissolve the parliament. Only then will a level playing field be created. You (government) created the problem, now you have to solve it. And if you don’t solve it, you will be in dire straits. Because no dictatorship in the world could stay in power for a lifetime. Neither can you. Then the scope of your accountability will be very long Because you have created so much crisis that it is impossible for you to get out of it. You can still take safe exit if you want. Therefore, I wish that your good sense emerges without confusing the situation.

Saiful Haque, general secretary of Revolutionary Workers Party, said that even after so many years of independence, people’s right to vote is still not recognized in the country. The entire election process has turned into a farce. Unprecedentedly, in 2018, he took away the people’s right to vote by holding elections in the middle of the night, thereby sending democracy to its grave. However, you are not ashamed at all. Now our first challenge is to ensure people’s right to vote. Democracy should be brought back.

He said that local government elections cannot prove a fair or acceptable election. Because there is no change of government here. In order to have free and fair elections, an electoral government is needed to restore the voting rights of the people of the country. The name of that government can be decided by sitting together. But the government must resign before the election. There is no discount here. Addressing the government, he said, if you think you will make another fake like 2014 and 2018, you cannot do it this time.

Forced elections will turn the entire country into a conflict, and Bangladesh will turn into a state of chaos like the breakaway states in Africa. Will result in long term ineffectiveness. In this situation, within the next two to three months, it will be decided whether there will be Ramrajtya or people’s rule here (Bangladesh). He urged everyone to participate in this context.