TDS Desk:

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Zainul Abedin Farroque urged the government to prioritize both reforms and the swift arrangement of elections and cautioned that delaying the elections could lead to significant harm.

He said these on while speaking as the chief guest at an anti-aggression rally organized by the Bangladesh Labour Party in front of the National Press Club to mark Felani Killing Day on Tuesday.

He also called for the immediate announcement of the election schedule.

Farroque said: “Immediately create an environment for elections, hold discussions with all political parties and announce the election date. Reforms can proceed simultaneously with the election process.”

He further said: “Through such an election, whichever party comes to power in Bangladesh, my leader Tarique Rahman has declared that all opposition parties will participate in the elections. It will be an election where no deceased individual will cast a vote, one that will be remembered for its fairness like the elections of 1991.”

Addressing the Indian government, Farroque said: “Handover Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh. Prove that you believe in democracy.”

He also alleged that the Secretariat fire was part of a conspiracy by what he referred to as “Sheikh Hasina’s ghosts,” saying: “They sit in Bangladesh singing praises of Sheikh Hasina. The people of Bangladesh need to be clearly informed that Sheikh Hasina’s ghosts will no longer have a place in Bangladeshi politics. Therefore, today (recent time), Sheikh Hasina’s followers must be removed from all positions of power and expelled.”

At the rally, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran also demanded immediate elections and blamed India’s authoritarian attitude for Felani’s death.