TDS Desk:

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged a political party to apologise for the atrocities committed during the 1971 Liberation War before asking people for their votes.

Speaking at a public rally on the Chandipur High School ground in Thakurgaon-1 constituency, Fakhrul said the Pakistani army carried out brutal acts in 1971, burning houses and seizing petrol pumps and tanks.

He added that some locals had collaborated with the Pakistani forces.

“First apologise for 1971, then seek votes,” he said.

Fakhrul also criticised the former government’s development claims, saying people were unable to work freely under Sheikh Hasina’s rule. He claimed that development only began after the party left power.

“Earlier, people earned Tk 100; now they earn Tk 200, and that is being called development,” he said. “Real progress will come through job creation. If agriculture improves, the nation will develop.”

He warned voters to make the right choice in the upcoming election, asserting that BNP would form the next government and Tarique Rahman would become prime minister.

Fakhrul said Tarique Rahman was barred from entering the country for 18 years. He added that when Tarique returned, crowds gathered in large numbers and he announced a “development plan” aimed at improving people’s lives.

He said the plan includes a “family card” to provide affordable education and healthcare, and an “agriculture card” to supply fertiliser and seeds at subsidised rates.

He also promised to create employment opportunities.

Party leaders and supporters attended the rally, which was held in support of BNP’s candidate in Thakurgaon-1.