High Court’s decision reflects people's victory, says BNP’s Mirza Fakhrul

The High Court’s decision on the petition barring Ishraque Hossain from being sworn in as mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation reflects the victory of the people, says BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

The BNP senior leader, currently undergoing medical treatment in Bangkok, made the remark while speaking to bdnews24.com in response to the High Court’s decision on Thursday which cleared the way for Ishraque to take up the post.

He said, "The High Court showed respect to the law and announced the decision we deserved. This decision reflects the people's victory."

‘‘No doubt this has been another victory of democracy. We know that when the mayoral election took place, the fascist Awami League government forcefully changed the result. The people of the country, including those in Dhaka, declared Ishraque as the people's mayor.'"

Mirza Fakhrul called for the local government ministry to take quick action to swear Ishraque in.

"I hope that the ministry won't cause any more trouble, arrange the swearing-in for Ishraque and also normalise the situation."

‘PROVIDE ELECTION ROADMAP SOON’

Mirza Fakhrul said a roadmap to the next general election is the only way to mitigate the current political crisis.

"We're saying this once more - the only means to overcoming this political crisis is to announce a roadmap to the next election soon. There is no point in talking about other issues."

"The reform issues is a continuous process. Those in the National Consensus Commission should soon announce the issues on which the political parties have already reached a consensus. They should make recommendations on those issues. Too much discussion on these issues would complicate the situation. Therefore, people expect a roadmap to election will be declared soon and the reform proposals agreed by all will be implemented. And those reform proposals that could not secure a consensus will be part of the recommendations and carried over as a continuous process."

"This would ensure people's peace."

Addressing BNP activists, Mirza Fakhrul said: "I believe, as the court announced the decision on this issue, it is the victory of the people. Therefore, we should not block the roads for this. We hope the government will wish us well and arrange for Ishraque's swearing -in."

"And they (leaders, activists and supporters) will leave the streets to ease the plight of the people."

On May 14, the BNP secretary general went to Bangkok for an eye surgery. The surgery was conducted on his left eye at the Bangkok Rutnin Eye Hospital and he is now under close observation by the doctors.