Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said recent incidents of violence have created public anxiety over the upcoming election, warning that any delay would further aggravate the country’s crisis.

“People of Bangladesh love elections. Yet they were deprived of voting for 15 years and lost interest in exercising their franchise. At a time when public enthusiasm for voting in this election has peaked, incidents of arson and violence were reported in media houses like The Daily and Prothom Alo, which were attempts to sabotage the election,” Fakhrul said while speaking at the “Star Election Dialogue: Your Party, Voters’ Questions” programme at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

He said people are deeply worried about the election, with many questioning whether polls will actually be held in Bangladesh. However, Fakhrul said the BNP remains hopeful and wants to move forward on the path to a peaceful election.

“Many taunt us by saying we always talk about elections. Undoubtedly, we are an election-oriented party. The absence of an elected government is precisely why so much disorder has emerged in the country,” he said.

Regarding the caretaker government system, Fakhrul said it remains the most suitable arrangement for holding fair elections in Bangladesh, though many people, including foreigners, had failed to understand this earlier.

“It has now been proven that a fair election in Bangladesh is not possible without a caretaker government,” he added.

Referring to reforms initiated by the interim government, he said the BNP had been advocating such changes for the past decade.

“What we outlined in Vision-2030 and the 31-point agenda later appeared in the reform commissions of this government. BNP has been raising these demands long before,” he said.

Touching on the country’s economic distress, Fakhrul said even if the BNP comes to power, overnight recovery would not be possible. The economy, he said, would need to be rebuilt gradually over a five-year term.

“With such high inflation, people are going frustrated when they go to the market. Reviving a devastated economy is not an easy task. But BNP is the only party with experience in bringing the country out of such crises,” he said.

Rejecting allegations that Awami League leaders are joining the BNP, Fakhrul said the claims are false and misleading. “BNP is not assisting in the rehabilitation of any fascist party,” he asserted.

He alleged that during the Awami League’s rule, around six million false cases were filed against BNP leaders and activists, and about 20,000 were killed through repression.

“There is no question of giving shelter to the Awami League,” he said.

On minority rights, Fakhrul said the BNP does not believe in the term “minority,” stressing that all citizens are equal. The party, he said, supports ensuring equal rights for all on that basis.

“Do not consider yourselves minorities or think of yourselves as weak. Stand firmly to claim your rights. BNP stands beside you,” he said, addressing members of the Hindu community.