Staff Correspondent:

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday expressed deep concern over what he described as a ‘new black shadow’ looming over Bangladesh’s democratic future, warning of a plot to derail the national election and deprive people of their right to vote.

“In exchange for the blood and sacrifice of thousands of students and mass people, a new possibility has been created for real democracy and a truly fascism-free modern Bangladesh. But now, a new shadow has fallen upon that hope,” he said, virtually addressing a joint meeting of BNP and its associate bodies from Thailand, where he recently underwent an eye surgery.

The BNP leader alleged that a well-orchestrated conspiracy is underway to delay the national election and obstruct people’s voting and other rights.

He accused certain infiltrators within the government of plotting to mislead the country and divert it from its democratic path. “You must have noticed that the politics of division has begun once again.”

Fakhrul voiced concerns that attempts are being made to create discords among different sections of people and to pit state institutions against each other.

In such a situation, he said, “Every leader and worker of BNP has to be very alert and they have to work consciously and stand against any conspiracy.”

Fakhrul said it is now the major responsibility of the BNP to establish democracy, rebuild Bangladesh and fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people.

“I request all the leaders and workers of BNP to remember these things very consciously… BNP leaders and workers have to play the role so that no one can harm Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, no one can suppress democracy with autocracy and fascism anymore,” he said.

The meeting was held at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan with the participation of top leaders from the party’s various associate bodies.