President’s removal: Mirza Fakhrul calls not to take hasty decision

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday called on the interim government not to take any decision hastily on the removal of President Mohammed Shahabuddin from his post.

“No hasty decision should be made if the revolution needs to be consolidated to reap the fruit of the mass uprising,” Mirza Fakhrul said.

The BNP secretary general made the call after paying respect to the party founder and former president Ziaur Rahman at his grave at Chandrima Udyan in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, marking the 46th anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal today.

Leaders of Students Against Discrimination and Jatiya Nagorik Committee on Saturday held a meeting with BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir with their demand of removing the president.

Asked about BNP’s stance regarding the removal of the president in the meeting, Mirza Fakhrul said, “The issue will be discussed in the highest forum of the BNP. We will clarify our stance after the discussion.”

“We said it earlier as well that national unity is required if the revolution in Bangladesh needs to be consolidated to harvest the fruits of the mass uprising. No hasty decision should be taken in this regard. We think this should be done through constitutional ways. For this it needs to hold the election completing the election-centric reforms quickly,” he emphasised.

A newsperson asked him whether they are fearing any conspiracy if the election is delayed. Responding to this question, Fakhrul said, “We are saying time and again, the election needs to be held as soon as possible. The power has to be transferred to a constitutional political force.”

Praising the role of Jubo Dal in the July-August movement, the BNP secretary general said, “The country on 5 August achieved freedom for the second time through a long movement against fascist Awami League. The role of Jubo Dal is definitely noteworthy.”

“Jubo Dal has become more powerful than ever before under the leadership of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Their role will remain intact in the successful consequence of student-people uprising to protect the country’s sovereignty. Jubo Dal will play a leading role in preventing those who do not want anything good for Bangladesh,” Fakhrul added.