FROM PAGE 12

Those representatives will run the country.”

Fakhrul said, “As Hasina did -- holding daytime votes at night, dummy polls, making MPs as she wishes, smuggling thousands of crores of taka abroad, and looting banks -- these things will never happen again.”

This interim government has many mistakes because it lacks experience, he said.

“We hoped that within one year, they would prepare a complete list of martyrs and arrange support for their families. Unfortunately, they couldn’t fully do it. But they tried.”

Fakhrul thanked the government for successful negotiations with the US administration to reduce tariffs on Bangladeshi products -- from 35 percent to 20 percent -- and said the foreign ministry and advisers have played a key role in this regard.

“This is a big achievement.”

Urging the party supporters to stay alert, he said, “Look around carefully, pay attention to what people are saying. Try to understand what the people want. Don’t try to do anything else … people are not foolish.”

At another rally in Jatrabari, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas called upon the government not to delay announcing the election date.

“I strongly suspect that there is a big conspiracy even behind announcing the election date. I still believe they [government] will try everything to make sure that the election is not fair or doesn’t take place at all. They will try to mislead the people against the BNP.”

In another development, two Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Salahuddin Ahmed visited Hathazari Al Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Uloom Moinul Islam Madrasa in Chattogram yesterday, reports UNB.

Talking to reporters, Salahuddin said except for 51 points, his party has no disagreement with the National Consensus Commission on the remaining recommendations. “We are hopeful that the July Charter will be signed soon.”

The BNP leader reiterated their commitment to the implementation of the July Charter if voted to power.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam said, “We don’t see any impediment in holding the election in February. Since we don’t see any obstruction, that is why there is no reason to worry about the possibility that the election could not be held.”