Dhaka //

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has raised the question of why reforms are being put forward as an alternative to elections and voting rights.

He raised this question at a prayer meeting organized on the ground floor of the BNP central office in Nayapaltan in the capital on Thursday afternoon. The ‘Ilias Ali Disappearance Prevention Committee’ organized this meeting in search of former BNP organizing secretary M Ilias Ali, who went missing during the fascist Awami League government.

Rizvi said, why is the government’s election promise – December-June – swinging like a pendulum? The interim government needs to answer this. We have wanted a free, fair and impartial election. We have wanted to ensure our voting rights. Ensure the rule of law. The interim government needs to ensure the place.

‘And why is the right to vote, for which we have fought for 15 to 16 years, being delayed? Why is there so much talk about it? Why is reform being presented as an alternative to elections and voting rights?’

This BNP leader said to the interim government, when we talk about votes, elections and voting rights, the government is presenting some other things as alternatives. Democracy means elections. Democracy means justice. What are they doing about them?

The BNP senior joint secretary general said, it has been eight months since the interim government. What activities is the Disappearance Commission doing? Where is Ilyas Ali? Where is Chowdhury Alam? Where is Suman and others? What responsibility is being played in bringing them back?

He said, Ilyas Ali disappeared because he organized a program to protest against the construction of the Tipaimukh dam by India on the Sylhet border. Those who could not tolerate it, those who were in power at that time, made Ilyas Ali disappear.

BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General said, “There are 6 million cases against our leaders and activists. They have been in power for eight months, these cases could have been withdrawn. They have done nothing for this. Why do we still have to roam around the courtroom? And officials associated with the BNP family are not appointed to important positions in the administration! That means this government is running through some agenda or planned design. This is the biggest question for the people. This is why so much confusion is being created today.”

The mahfil was attended by BNP Chairperson’s Advisor Abul Khair Bhuiyan, Ilias Ali’s wife Tahsina Rushdir Luna, Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarfat Ali Sapu, among others.

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