FROM PAGE 12

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 have tariffs on Bangladeshi products reduced from 35 percent to 20 percent, saying the foreign ministry and advisers have played a key role in this regard.

“This is a big achievement.”

The party’s Dhaka Metropolitan (north) unit organised the event in memory of those killed during the mass uprising.

Urging BNP supporters to stay alert, Fakhrul 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 the announcement of an 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, 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 reform proposals. “We are hopeful that the July Charter will be signed soon.”

He reiterated their commitment to the implementation of the July Charter if voted to power.

The other BNP leader, Nazrul, 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 will not be held.”