BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the years-long political struggle against authoritarian rule has opened a path toward a democratic state. He made the remarks on Saturday at an event marking the 21st anniversary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Fakhrul called the anti-government movement a 15-year-long shared struggle against what he described as a “fascist” regime.
“We’ve walked every step together through dialogue. The objective was always clear—to bring down the Hasina government and restore democracy,” he said.
He claimed the movement had already achieved some success by inspiring the public with a vision of a democratic Bangladesh.
Reform Talks and the 31-Point Agenda
Fakhrul pointed to the opposition’s 31-point reform proposal as a framework for political, economic, and administrative transformation. He said these points were developed through discussion among political allies committed to change.
“Together, we realized that the existing system cannot deliver that dream,” he said. “So we sat down and agreed on steps. The 31 points are one of them.”
He noted that a national reform committee and a consensus platform have already been formed. According to him, discussions are ongoing about which proposals can be implemented before elections and which can be addressed later in parliament.
“We’ve agreed on several issues. Others remain under discussion. We’ll deal with them during the election and afterward,” Fakhrul said.
Confidence from Dialogue with Interim Government
Fakhrul shared that confidence had grown following a recent meeting between BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman and interim advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus.
He said the meeting gave many in the movement new hope.
“That meeting was a turning point. It showed us that there’s a real chance of moving forward,” he said. “If the February election happens, it may allow us to begin fulfilling the hopes we’ve carried all this time.”
He added that despite doubts over recent political events, the overall direction has brought renewed energy.
“I haven’t lost faith,” he said. “If we keep working together, we can get there.”
Comments on Corruption and Public Frustration
Fakhrul criticized recent news reports about alleged large sums of money held in Swiss banks. Without naming individuals, he expressed concern over the lack of clarity and accountability.
“I don’t know when or how that money was deposited. But if it’s true, it tells us how much was looted by the mafia groups linked to the ruling party,” he said.
He framed the report as another sign of deep institutional damage, blaming the current government for weakening the country’s electoral, judicial, and administrative systems.
Support for Youth and New Political Forces
Fakhrul welcomed increased youth participation in politics and noted the rise of new political group.
“There’s a new party preparing to register soon. We welcome them,” he said.
He praised student activists who participated in the recent protest movement and said their sacrifices should be remembered.
“These young people, many of whom gave their blood, are the ones who can lead this country toward our shared goal,” he added.
A Call to Move Forward Together
Fakhrul said restoring democracy will take unity and shared effort.
He expressed gratitude to the Revolutionary Workers Party for their commitment and for standing by the people through challenging times.
“There is an opportunity now,” he said. “Let’s turn this opportunity into a chance to reshape the country into a real democracy.”
Fakhrul concluded with greetings from BNP leaders Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, and a note of thanks to Saiful Haque for organizing the gathering.
