In a stirring speech delivered during an Iftar gathering attended by diplomats and development partners, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Secretary General emphasised on the urgent need for international solidarity to restore democracy in Bangladesh.

Addressing a diverse audience, he invoked the values of empathy, tolerance, and coexistence symbolised by the holy month of Ramadan. However, amidst the spirit of unity, the leader also drew attention to the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh, highlighting the controversial election held under the "fascist regime."

Mirza Fakhrul denounced the January 7 election as a sham, citing, "The blatant rigging, irregularities, and violence orchestrated by the ruling regime were evident from the media reports, images, real-time videos captured on the spot, and the reports of election engineering from across the country. In the meantime, the international community also dubbed this dummy election, held in a highly polarised political environment and lacking genuine competition, as farcical, not meeting key international standards." 

He said, "Thousands of political leaders and activists, including standing committee members, were incarcerated for politically motivated false and fabricated charges. However, the resounding rejection, as evident from a microscopic voter turnout, served as a public mandate for our relentless struggle to reinstate democracy and a referendum for resignation of the ruling regime."

Expressing gratitude to the international community's support, the BNP leader urged for continued solidarity in their struggle for democracy. He said, "We deeply value the international community's support in our struggle for the restoration of rights and freedoms, which can be ensured through an election held under a neutral, non-party election-time government." 

Emphasising on the importance of ongoing movement for a neutral election-time government, he added, "Unless and until we achieve that, our peaceful and nonviolent movement will continue."