DHAKA, March 27 (V7N) –  BNP Secretary General and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed firm determination to advance the forces of independence by defeating “evil elements” that he said have resurfaced after 55 years.  

“After 55 years of independence, those evil forces have once again raised their heads—those who dishonored our mothers and sisters and carried out killings in collaboration with the Pakistani forces. We must remain vigilant and defeat those evil forces and move forward with the strength of independence. That is where our success lies,” he said.  

He made the remarks at a discussion organized by BNP at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in the capital, marking Independence and National Day. Party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended as chief guest.  

Expressing optimism about Tarique Rahman’s leadership, Fakhrul said, “Since his return, he has created a wave among the people and inspired hope. Upon arriving in the country, he said, ‘I have a plan.’ He came with a plan to build the country.”  

He cited initiatives already underway, including Family Card, Farmer Card, waiver of Taka 10,000 agricultural loans, and canal excavation projects. Fakhrul compared Tarique Rahman’s vision to that of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, who he said transformed Bangladesh from a “bottomless basket” into a nation of potential within three and a half years.  

Calling for unity, Fakhrul urged, “Let us defeat all evil forces and move forward by strengthening our leader Tarique Rahman. Let us forget the mistakes of the past and focus only on achieving a beautiful future for ourselves and for our children, so that Bangladesh can stand tall in the world.”  

Quoting poet Rangalal Bandyopadhyay, he said, “Who would want to live without freedom?” and reminded that Bangladeshis have fought at every stage—from the British period to the Liberation War of 1971—with their blood.  

He also recalled years of repression faced by BNP leaders and activists, citing false cases against six million people, the killing of 20,000 young activists, and the disappearance of 1,700 leaders, including Ilias Ali. “Yet we never bowed our heads under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia. We continued our struggle,” he said.  

The discussion began with prayers for Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and the martyrs of the Liberation War.  

BNP Standing Committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed also spoke. Educationist Prof Wakil Ahmed, economist Prof Mahbub Ullah, UGC Chairman Prof Mamun Ahmed, and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam took part in the programme, which was moderated by Publicity Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku.  

END/AJ/RH