Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has described Sheikh Hasina as having exploited the weaknesses of political parties to turn herself into a fascist ruler.
Fakhrul clarified that his party does not support Hasina’s return to power. He made these remarks on Tuesday (19 November), during a discussion organised by the Jatiyatabadi Peshajibi Parishad at Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club to mark the "National Revolution and Solidarity Day" on 7 November.
Addressing the gathering, Fakhrul emphasised the need to prioritise restoring a democratic environment in the country.
He voiced concerns about ongoing conspiracies involving minorities and the garments sector, suggesting that such conspiracies would cease under an elected government.
Regarding elections, the BNP secretary general stated that the party's call for elections is not driven by a desire for power but out of urgency to prevent escalating crises.
Fakhrul urged the interim government to announce a roadmap for future elections to mitigate issues swiftly.
Discussing public demands, he noted that protests are currently causing suffering. He remarked that while people are now making various demands, such voices were absent in the face of dictatorship.
The current crisis, he said, has arisen due to the absence of a political government.
“Our priority is to create a democratic environment and a space for democracy,” Fakhrul asserted, highlighting that the BNP had introduced a 31-point reform proposal through dialogue with political parties.
However, he criticised the new figures in the interim government, stating, "They are not political personalities and lack political experience. Politics is a science—hence 'Political Science'."
Fakhrul denied that the BNP is pushing for elections merely to gain power, stressing that prompt elections would resolve many of the country’s problems.
He also criticised the education system, pointing out that in 53 years, the country has not achieved substantial success in this sector and lamented that no Bangladeshi university ranks among the world's top 1,000, attributing this to a lack of national unity.
Fakhrul accused Sheikh Hasina of causing the greatest damage to the nation, claiming she had undone 15 years of achievements.
The event was presided over by BNP Standing Committee member and BSPP convener Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain and moderated by Member Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury. Also in attendance were BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam, Chairman of the Bangladesh Teachers and Employees Unity Council Professor Selim Bhuiyan, former DAB President Professor Dr Azizul Haque, DAB President Dr Harun Al Rashid, and Professor Dr Abu Ahmed, among others.
