Bangladesh Nationalist Party – BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Thursday (Feb 27) called for an acceptable national election to restore the democratic system for repairing the state after quick completion of minimum reforms. "The fascist ruler fled in mass movement. The people's expectation is that the current interim government will quickly complete the minimum reforms to repair the state and hold an election acceptable to all to return to the democratic system," she said.
The BNP Chairperson was virtually addressing the extended meeting of the party at the LD Hall premises of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban from London.
"You were in continuous struggle for democracy for fifteen years as well as for my release and countless of our colleagues have given their lives, have been subjected to oppression and torture and are still wandering around the courtrooms seeking justice being inflicted in almost a hundred false cases," she told the party men.
Khaleda said their contributions will be remembered by not only the party but also the nation forever.
Noting that the country is going through a critical time now, she said, "As a result of your and the students' coordinated movement, the fascist ruler have departed. An interim government has now been formed".
The former prime minister also quoted the statement of martyred President Ziaur Rahman as saying, "The party is bigger than the individual, the country is bigger than the party". "We have to remember the ideals of President Ziaur Rahman," Khaleda Zia said.
She urged the leaders and activists to work unitedly for success in the next election being inspired by the ideals of Ziaur Rahman and alerted them not to do anything that can make the struggle and sacrifices go in vain.
People from all walks of life in Bangladesh, especially the youth, are looking forward to a positive democratic change today, she said. "We have to forget our petty narrow mentality and work in the greater interest of the country and the nation," she added.
Khaleda said friends of the fascists and the enemies of Bangladesh are still engaged in a deep conspiracy to destroy the achievements made through the mass uprising. "Let us invest all our strength to build a democratic Bangladesh. Let us further accelerate unity," she said.
"We have to thwart the conspiracy of the fascists. Not only that, we all have to work together to build a democratic Bangladesh. Let us build a modern, prosperous and democratic Bangladesh as dreamt by Shaheed Zia in the coming days," she continued.
Khaleda expressed her gratitude to all the party leaders and workers and said, "In my absence, the acting chairman of the party, senior leaders and all of you have worked continuously to consolidate the party. I thank you."
The BNP Chairperson also said, "I want to appeal to you from the UK while I am ill: Let us use all our strength to build Bangladesh and consolidate this achievement obtained in exchange for so much sacrifice and further accelerate unity”.
“Let us all together, not through revenge or vengeance, but through mutual love and brotherhood, make our beloved Bangladesh truly a livable, developed and democratic state," she concluded.
