Fakhrul asks students to wage movement for democracy

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday appreciated the students' demonstration for quota reform but called it an isolated movement, asking them to fight for a greater cause -- restoration democracy.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader said the quota protesters' attempts would bear no fruit if they do not press home the demand for democracy in its true sense.

"Only a government that is voted to power by its people think about the public," he told an agitation programme demanding the release of BNP chairperson, former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

It was organised by the Association of Engineers' Bangladesh (AEB) at the National Press Club in the city.

"We want democracy be restored in the country and that can only happen through an election that is held by a non-party caretaker government. Or else, there will be no fair election.

"Angered by the demonstrations, the prime minister reluctantly announced to abolish the quota system. But she cannot do that. It is against the constitution. The students did not want the quota system be abolished entirely. They demanded a reform," Fakhrul said, adding, "As a result there has been no gazette yet. On the other hand, the police have picked up the lead demonstrators blindfolded. They had to release them in the face of protests though."

The BNP leader called on all the political parties to be united in the demand for a non-party caretaker government for holding free and fair elections in the country.

Chaired by AEB president Mahmudur Rahman, the agitation programme was also attended by BNP vice-chairman AZM Zahid Hossain, journalist leader Shawkat Mahmud, information and research secretary Quader Ghani Chowdhury and mass education secretary Selim Bhuiyan.