Dhaka, July 6 (V7N) – Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir declared at a press conference on Sunday that those advocating for the postponement of elections are neither democratic nor in support of the July–August revolution, emphasizing that the public demands immediate polls.

Speaking at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul reaffirmed the party’s belief that talks between Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman in London are advancing the prospects of an election. He also accused a vested group of spreading false propaganda to tarnish the party’s reputation, stating that these efforts are failing as the people continue to support BNP, a "tested liberal democratic" force that seeks power through elections, not revolution.

Fakhrul reiterated that BNP launched its reform agenda in 2016 under Begum Khaleda Zia’s Vision-2030 framework, followed by detailed 27- and 31-point plans. He asserted that any claim BNP opposes reform is part of a deliberate smear campaign.

Highlighting the sacrifices made during the struggle against authoritarianism, Fakhrul noted that hundreds of BNP activists have died or disappeared. He affirmed the party’s resolve to restore democracy, warning that unchecked power could lead to fascism and that institutions must retain their authority to maintain a functioning state.

“Let us not fail in our responsibility to build a discrimination-free, humane, and prosperous Bangladesh, inspired by the spirit of our Liberation War, the student-led Mass Uprising of 1990, and the July–August 2024 movement,” he said.

Fakhrul also addressed the controversial issue of Proportional Representation (PR) voting, criticizing its lack of clarity and cautioning that it could undermine voter knowledge of their representatives. He noted that despite preliminary discussions, no formal agreement on PR has been reached and that EVM implementation remains incomplete.

BNP Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Salahuddin Ahmed supported Fakhrul’s remarks, urging prompt completion of electoral reform and cautioning against prolonged negotiations.

Nazrul emphasized BNP’s willingness to engage in discussions but stressed that delays are not their responsibility. Salahuddin described BNP’s compromises on consensus commission proposals as efforts toward progress.

Fakhrul concluded by calling on all stakeholders to use this pivotal moment—born from the struggles and sacrifices of past movements—to propel Bangladesh toward transparent elections, effective governance, and democratic stability.

END/SMA/RH/