Highlights:
-
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the Sheaf of Paddy and the Boat have long been traditional election rivals.
-
He noted that the Boat symbol will be missing from this election.
-
Fakhrul claimed the Awami League’s “main helmsman” has fled to India, abandoning his followers.
-
He urged Awami League supporters not to be disheartened, assuring that the Sheaf of Paddy stands beside them.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday (November 10) extended a message of assurance and unity to Awami League supporters, saying that the “Dhaner Sish,” the BNP’s electoral symbol, stands beside them.
He made the remarks while addressing a pre-election exchange meeting at Bordeshwari field in Thakurgaon Sadar as the chief guest.
In a tone of reconciliation, Fakhrul told the Awami League supporters and voters,
দীর্ঘদিন ধরে নির্বাচনে প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বিতা করেছে বিএনপির ধানের শীষ ও আওয়ামী লীগের নৌকা। কিন্তু এবারের নির্বাচনে নৌকা থাকছে না। কারণ নৌকার যে মূল মাঝি তিনি সবাইকে ফেলে দিয়ে পালিয়ে গেছেন, ইন্ডিয়া চলে গেছেন। তবে আপনারা কেউ হতাশ হবেন না, ধানের শীষ আপনাদের পাশেই আছে।
Translation: For a long time, the BNP’s Dhaner Sish and the Awami League’s Nouka have competed in elections.
But this time, the Boat will not be there because its main helmsman has abandoned everyone and fled to India.
However, none of you should be disheartened, as the Dhaner Sish stands right beside you.
The BNP leader’s statement comes amid escalating political rhetoric ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election.
Read more: Student Resistance Rises Against Awami League’s Controversial ‘Dhaka Lockdown’ Program
Fakhrul criticized the eight-party alliance, accusing them of attempting to impose a proportional representation (PR) system on the people without public understanding or consent.
দেশের জনগণ পিআর না বুঝলেও তা চাপিয়ে দেবার চেষ্টা করছে আট দল। একইসঙ্গে গণভোটকে কেন্দ্র করে নির্বাচন পেছাতে ঝামেলা করছে তারা। আগে ভোটে জেতেন তারপর পিআর বাস্তবায়ন কইরেন। জোর করে জনগণের ওপর চাপিয়ে দিলে সেটা আমরা মানবো না।
Translation:“The people of this country don’t understand PR, yet the eight-party alliance is trying to force it on them,” he said.
“They are also creating obstacles to delay the election through the so-called referendum issue. Win the people’s vote first then talk about implementing PR. If you try to impose it by force, we will not accept it.”
The BNP Secretary General reiterated that elections must reflect the will of the people, not serve as a political experiment. He urged both supporters and opponents to maintain peace and allow citizens to express their choice freely at the ballot box.
“নিজেই তৈরি করুন নিজের অনলাইন স্টোর — কোনো কোডিং জ্ঞান ছাড়াই!
The Thakurgaon gathering was attended by local BNP leaders, activists, and residents who expressed strong support for the party’s call for fair elections and national unity.
Source: ITTEFAQ
