Dhaka: Ahead of the general elections in Bangladesh on January 7, the country’s opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), held massive protests in the Paltan area of Dhaka. The protesters refused to participate in the electoral process until a caretaker government is put in place. Gave. The protesters raised slogans in Bengali and stressed that elections are not just child’s play. They raised slogans like “Sheikh Hasina vote thief” to express their concerns.
The BNP has called for a 48-hour nationwide ‘hartal’ (general strike) from today to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s “illegal government”, reports Dhaka Tribune. The BNP, led by former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia, decided to boycott the general elections scheduled for January 7. The party is advocating the formation of an interim non-party, neutral government to monitor the elections, a demand which The government led by Prime Minister Hasina has rejected. The second day of the strike coincides with tomorrow’s elections, which have already attracted global attention.
On Thursday, BNP joint senior general secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programs at a virtual press briefing. He further said that the strike will start at 6 am (local time) today and end at 6 am (local time) on Monday. Meanwhile, like-minded parties of BNP will observe the programs together.
The BNP’s demands include the resignation of the government, the release of its leaders and activists arrested since late October, and the unconditional release of party chief Khaleda Zia. Soon after Rizvi’s announcement, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) also said it would go on strike for 48 hours from 6 am on Saturday. This will be the fifth round of strike by BNP and like-minded parties since October 29. Opposition parties imposed a nationwide blockade for 23 days in 12 phases during this period.
The BNP called for a non-cooperation movement on 20 December, leading to large-scale campaigns and distribution of leaflets. Rizvi further said that his program is to garner public support in favor of the party’s call to boycott the January 7 elections. Reportedly, according to the Dhaka Tribune, he is also wanted by the police for campaigning against the elections.
Earlier on Thursday, the BNP leader urged people to “boycott the one-sided and dummy elections as it will land the country in trouble.” Later in the day, leaders of the 12-party alliance marched in the Paltan area of the capital, where they also distributed anti-poll leaflets. Apart from this, he also held a brief rally in front of the National Press Club. In another development, BNP standing committee member Abdul Moin Khan said, pointing towards the Awami League, “A government can retain power by betraying the people.” “But the Awami League government will have to step down today or tomorrow,” he said.
He was addressing a rally of Bangladesh Samilito Peshajibi Parishad, a pro-BNP organization of professionals, near the Press Club, Dhaka Tribune reported. Meanwhile, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Thursday made an emotional appeal and urged people to exercise their franchise in Sunday’s elections to prove that democracy prevails in Bangladesh. In her final campaign speech before the national elections to be held on January 7 to form the country’s 12th Parliament, she said in a televised address to the nation, “Today I have come before you to seek votes in favor of the election symbol boat. ” Quoting poet Sunkant Bhattacharya’s poem, Udayachal (From the East), Sheikh Hasina said, “The call has come; Now is the time to take the path”. In her speech, Hasina said she wanted another five-year term in office to make development sustainable, work to improve people’s living standards, and build a smart, developed Bangladesh free of hunger and poverty . He said that during the three consecutive terms of his Awami League government, Bangladesh has witnessed the continuity of “democratic tendencies and stability” in the process of building a people’s welfare-oriented society based on “equality and justice”. “If we can form the government again by getting your valuable votes then we will be able to continue the implementation of the programs we have taken up,” he said, adding that this “will give us the opportunity to further improve your living conditions.” will get.”