Staff Correspondent:

BNP chairperson’s adviser Zainul Abedin Faruque said there won’t be any local elections before national elections bypassing the decision of BNP.

Faruque said this in his speech as the chief guest at a civic rally demanding national elections before the local elections organized by the ‘Trinamool Nagorik Andolon’ in front of the National Press Club on Monday.

Faruque said, “BNP has never betrayed the people in past, neither it will do so in the future. The proof of this is that when there was no one to declare independence in the 1971 Liberation War, martyred President Ziaur Rahman declared independence. And the love people have for Tarique Rahman at present is also a proof of that. The popularity he has gained is proven by the people’s love for him.”

Addressing them, he said, “What excuse have you started? Have you started making excuses to put the blame on this government? The nationalist party BNP, the power in favor of democracy, is still on the streets. BNP will continue their movements to achieve the rights of the people until the rights of the people are restored.”

Addressing the chief advisor, he said, “Your government is founded on the blood of the students and the mass people. The students and the people have given you this responsibility with trust. Please do not neglect this trust. Those who talk in your ears are trying to rehabilitate the Awami League again. They must be stopped.”

Faruque also said, “You have started making excuses. Local elections before the national elections will not be allowed to happen in this land of Bengal, bypassing BNP. Do not underestimate BNP. BNP’s patience has not broken yet.”

Addressing the government, he said, “No excuses will work. They want to stay in power for two years like Fakhruddin-Moinuddin government by making excuses. These excuses will not work, elections must be held. We’re supporting you; even then, why Sheikh Hasina’s allies are sitting in the secretariat? If you tell the truth, you will say that we are in a hurry to come to power. Power is not our ultimate goal. We have been in power several times. We are saying that a quick election is needed for the rights of the people of the country. That is why we are talking about elections again and again. Sheikh Hasina, who is staying in Delhi by delaying the elections, will once again set the country on fire with provocative statements. This cannot be allowed to happen.”