BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today opined that despite having some shortcomings, still democracy is the best system in the world.
"Difference of opinion is the beauty of democracy...So, it has been emerged as a big challenge before us to protect democracy," he said while exchanging views with journalists at his Tantipara residence here.
In this connection, he urged all to spread the essence of multi-party democracy or pluralism across the country.
In the democracy, if any political party comes to power and behaves dictatorially, then the people remove them from power and Awami League is the best example of this, he said.
Mentioning the current political situation in the country " is very critical", he said if the people's voting rights are not ensured, democracy will be completely destroyed. "That's why BNP has always been advocating for necessary reforms for holding a free and fair election".
Refuting the allegation, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said BNP had never demanded elections first and reforms later. If anyone claimed this, then it is being misinterpreted and the people are being misled to this end, he added.
"We have said that the minimum reforms are required to make the elections free and fair," he said adding that propaganda was being carried out on social media intentionally targeting BNP centring the reform issue.
"It is being said through various media that BNP wants elections first, and then reforms or BNP does not want reforms, but elections. This is completely false. I want to say clearly that such propaganda is creating a wrong impression among the people."
The BNP Secretary General said any political party must have a relationship with the people.
"We respect those who are working on reforms. However, if they do something outside the people, BNP will not support it.
By reforms, we mean the proper development of the democratic process. If any party tries to stay in power in a dictatorial manner, it will be harmful for the people. We want a democratic government to be formed based on the people's mandate," he said.
District BNP Vice President Obaidullah Masud, Joint General Secretary Poygam Ali, Finance Secretary Shariful Islam Sharif and other leaders were present, among others.
Following the meeting, the BNP Secretary General called upon the party leaders and activists to remain united and continue working to realize the people's voting rights.
