Election main gateway to democratic system: Fakhrul

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has described the election as the main gateway to democratic system.

The BNP secretary general was addressing a two-day national dialogue titled ‘Unity in which path’ organized by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in the city’s Khamarbari on Friday noon.

“This is not correct that BNP does not want reforms, but elections. We have repeatedly said we want elections after completing required minimum reforms. We have talked about elections and are still saying this because elections are the main gateway to a democratic system in any country,” he said.

Noting that the issues came to the fore now are unity, reform and elections, he said, “It's a matter of great sadness that we have to discuss these issues even after 53 years of independence. It would have been great if we could have worked together on these issues from the very beginning and reached a place.”

“It is very important that we do not forget 1971. We should never forget 1971. We need to remember the continuous struggle for democracy since 1971. Through that struggle, in exchange for the sacrifices of the students, we have reached this place today. Therefore, we can only assure you that on behalf of the BNP, we are always in favor of democratic reforms. We are working for this and will continue to do so," he said.