DHAKA: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir remarked that their party does not believe in military rule and Ziaur Rahman did not impose it.

However, the military rule was imposed by Khandaker Mostak Ahmed.

The BNP senior leader remarked this in response to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s statement of ‘military rule would come if January 5 national elections did not arrange’.

He came up with this assertion in a discussion titled ‘An acceptable election is a prerequisite for the development’ organized by Bangladesh Democratic Forum on Tuesday.

Fakhrul said the ruling Awami League (AL) brought the ‘Moeen U Ahmed and Fakhruddin Ahmed government’ in power by avoiding 2008 election.

But, later, Hasina claimed that it was the result of their movement.

Fakhrul commented that the AL-led government does not believe in democracy but they talk about it.

This incumbent government wants to survive by armed power but it would not be possible as people will stage demonstrations to oust the government under the leadership of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

With Bangladesh Democratic Forum president HM Harisul Haque in the chair, the function was addressed, among others, by Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) chairman Abdul Latif Nezami, its executive committee member Nabi Ullah Nabi, Narsigdi sadar upazila chairman Manzur Elahi, political leaders advocate Kaniz Bangladesh Democratic Forum president HM Harisul Haque Fatema, Barrister Anwar Hossain, NAP secretary general Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan and Bangladesh Democratic Forum secretary general M Rafiqul Islam.

BDST: 2101 HRS, DEC 02, 2014