July uprising and interim govt are outcomes of BNP's long struggle: Khandaker Mosharraf

Dhaka, 18 Mar – Senior BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Tuesday said the July-August mass uprising and the formation of the interim government were the direct outcomes of his party's 16-year-long movement against the 'fascist' Awami League regime.

“We carried out movements on the streets for 16 years against the fascist government. The July-August uprising and the formation of the interim government were the results of that movement,” he said.

Mosharraf made these remarks while addressing a commemoration meeting at the Jatiya Press Club.

The Khandaker Delwar Smriti Foundation organised the meeting to mark the 14th anniversary of the death of former BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain.

Mosharraf, a member of BNP's Standing Committee, urged the interim government not to delay the national elections under the pretext of reforms.

“The interim government must fulfil the people's aspirations by conducting the national election without unnecessary delay. This is what the people expect,” he said.

The BNP leader noted that when the current government, led by Prof. Muhammad Yunus, came to power, it had promised to establish people's rights. “That right refers to the right to vote. We hope the government will soon live up to its promise.”

BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, while addressing the programme, criticised the government for failing to remove ‘fascist elements’ from various government offices.

“Those who held important positions during the Awami League regime are now serving in similar roles in the interim government,” he said.

The BNP leader claimed that the same officer who had framed Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust case is now holding a key position in a significant ministry in the interim government with considerable power.

BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Zainul Abedin Farroque said the people of the country are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to exercise their voting rights, of which they have been deprived for 17 years.

“The people of the country now want a national election, not any other form of reform,” he observed.

Farroque urged the interim government to announce a clear election date, stating, “People do not want anything more from you.”