Popular singer Asif Akbar, known for his active presence on social media, has once again stirred public conversation, this time around the issue of national elections. 

The singer, who frequently shares his views on political matters, took to Facebook on February 18th, advocating for local government elections prior to the national elections.

In his post, Akbar said, "Local government elections are urgent before the national elections. This will allow us to gauge the improvement of political culture, benefiting the people as well."

His statement sparked mixed reactions among netizens. Many voiced support for his suggestion, agreeing that local elections would enhance democratic practices, possibly preventing errors in selecting appropriate candidates for national elections. 

Others, however, expressed concerns about the potential for increased violence if local elections were held before the national ones.

A commenter named Al Mamun warned that such a move could lead to greater chaos, allowing fascists to exploit the situation. 

Meanwhile, one Mohammad Sohel Rana expressed gratitude towards Akbar, writing, "Thank you, Asif Bhai. This is why I admire you. The country is bigger than any party."

Yusuf Badari argued that historical uprisings, such as the July Revolution, were fought for democratic governance, not for local elections. 

Alamin Mohammad, on the other hand, called for a complete abolition of elections under a party government, whether local or national.

Netizens like Imon Khan praised Akbar's proposal, saying that it could help eliminate nepotism, while Arafat expressed pride in Akbar's courageous stance, emphasizing the importance of speaking out against injustice.

This call for national elections before the local government polls is also echoed by the opposition party BNP. 

Party leaders have outlined three key reasons for their demand, with the main concern being that holding local elections first could serve as a platform for fascism to resurface, creating a potentially volatile political situation across the country.

Asif Akbar, who gained nationwide fame with his album "O Priya Tumi Kothay," has since been dubbed the "Prince of Bengali music" for his influence on the music scene.

BDST: 1156 HRS, FEB 19, 2025
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