Staff Correspondent:

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir noted raising question, “What is the state? For whom does the state exist? Even after a year, the perpetrators have not been found; a list of the dead and injured has not been prepared, nor has there been any rehabilitation effort. When these issues are raised, government representatives accuse us of attacking them. But we only criticize when you fail.”

Fakhrul said, “The government wants to create a magical country, but it should come from the people. However, we are not seeing that country from the government.”

He further mentioned, “After the August 7 rally, we called for elections to be held within three months. Back then, we were accused of merely seeking to gain power, but now our demand for elections is proven legitimate.”

He made these remarks on Thursday while speaking at a discussion meeting organized at the National Press Club on the anniversary of the historic July-August mass uprising.

The BNP Secretary General added, “But do not be disappointed, do not lose hope. It is possible to build a people’s country, a democratic nation — we remain hopeful. Now is the time for mutual understanding among politicians; only then will the people benefit.”

He further said, “Even amidst so many problems, consensus has been reached on 12 points. We remain optimistic about the others as well. If elections are held in early February after implementing fundamental reforms in line with the commitment made at the London meeting, then all doubts will be cleared.”

He also noted, “If political parties do not come to mutual understanding, bitterness will grow. There should be limits when speaking — for everyone.”

Speaking about the uprising, Mirza Fakhrul said, “A child’s skull was blown off by gunfire. An artificial skull had to be attached. What sacrifice could be greater than that? If we fail to properly utilize the price that has been paid for democracy… then it will be a betrayal to the children and the people of the country.”