Quickpost | Thakurgaon | District Correspondent
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has questioned whether the country should be handed over to forces that, he said, never believed in Bangladesh’s independence and once tried to sell the nation.
Speaking at an election rally at the BD School ground in the 29 Mile area of Thakurgaon Sadar on Monday, Mirza Fakhrul said, “We saw it clearly in 1971—those who wanted to sell this country never wanted independence. Should we now vote for them and push the country towards destruction?”
He alleged that political forces which collaborated with the Pakistani army during the Liberation War and were involved in mass killings are once again seeking votes and claiming the right to run the country. He urged voters to remain conscious of history while making their electoral choice.
Message to Minority Communities
Addressing members of the Hindu community, the BNP leader said they should not live in fear.
“You are not minorities. Everyone in this country is a Bangladeshi citizen, and everyone has equal rights,” he said, recalling former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s stance that Bangladesh has no minorities, only equal citizens.
Mirza Fakhrul assured that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party would always stand beside minority communities and protect the rights of all citizens, including women and men, without discrimination.
‘No Boat, New Symbols Emerging’
Referring to the changing political landscape, he said that previous elections were contested mainly between the boat and the sheaf of paddy. “Now there is no boat,” he claimed, adding that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has left the country and is currently staying in India.
“If she were here, at least some form of democratic system might still exist,” he said, hinting that new political symbols are now being introduced ahead of the election.
‘This Is My Last Election’
Touching on his personal political journey, Mirza Fakhrul said this would be his final election.
“I have come to you at the final stage of my political life, asking for one last opportunity,” he said. “We do not see politics as a business. We believe in work, not empty rhetoric. Politics, for us, is about public welfare.”
Praising local BNP candidate Delawar, he said the party was not interested in attacking opponents but wanted to win public trust through action and service.
