UNB, Cumilla

A covert autocracy could emerge in Bangladesh if democratic and nationalist forces fail to remain united ahead of the national election, said BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday.

“In the past 15 years, the nation has seen another form of autocracy, and people have eventually removed it. If we cannot make the people understand the ground reality, if we fail to remain united, then in the coming days a hidden autocracy could emerge in the country.”

Tarique’s comments came at the biennial council of BNP’s Cumilla South District unit at the Town Hall field in Cumilla.

“If we do not all unite now, if the democratic forces fail to unite, if we cannot unite the people of this country, then just as autocracy gripped the nation after independence, and just as after the 1/11 events and the so-called 2008 election, a fascist autocracy mounted the shoulders of the country, the same could happen again.”

Tarique called upon the BNP leaders and activists across the country to put aside all divisions and work shoulder to shoulder.

“We have no alternative but to unite. This must be our pledge and our oath.”

The party’s task ahead is to rebuild and reconstruct the nation with united efforts.

He compared the nation to a house, saying that just as many workers together can build a beautiful home, rebuilding

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