Khulna: BNP chairperson's advisory council member Zahir Uddin Swapon has declared that no conspiracy will be able to obstruct the upcoming national election scheduled for February. Speaking as the chief guest at a workers' rally in the Fulbari Gate area of the city, he emphasized that any attempts to delay or derail the election will not succeed.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the rally was organized by the Khanjahan Ali Thana unit of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal to support BNP-nominated candidate for the Khulna-3 constituency, Rokibul Islam Bokul. Swapon criticized the election system, stating it had turned into a "mockery" over the last 17 years. He praised students, youths, and the general populace for ending what he described as authoritarian rule.
Swapon further asserted that the present interim government was established "through sacrifice and struggle," gaining moral strength from the support of BNP and other democratic political forces. He expressed gratitude towards the Chief Adviser for reassuring the nation that the election would proceed in February, a statement which he believes helped alleviate public concerns.
He warned that those who "oppose or create obstacles to the election process" would be viewed as "enemies of democracy as well as the country," urging all involved to avoid conspiracies. Meanwhile, Rokibul Islam Bokul, the key speaker, criticized the previous government for what he termed as "mismanagement and corruption," particularly highlighting the closure of jute mills in Khulna.
Bokul alleged that assets were illegally transferred abroad following the shutdown of local industries and cautioned that any conspiracy regarding the election would lead to serious consequences. He noted that those who previously held elections without a public mandate had to flee under pressure.
The meeting was chaired by Kazi Shahidul Islam, president of Khanjahan Ali Thana Sramik Dal, and conducted by General Secretary Ziadul Islam. Khulna city unit BNP President Advocate Shafiqul Alam Mona, General Secretary Shafiqul Alam Tuhin, and other local BNP leaders were also present.