We don't want to see 'Minus Two' again: Fakhrul

BNP does not want to see 'Minus Two Formula' again like 1/11, said party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

He said: "We do not believe in any politics of depoliticization. We don't want to see minus two formula, radicalism, terrorism or militancy again. What we want to see is a healthy liberal democratic system in the country."

He said this while addressing the teachers' gathering as the chief guest at Engineers Institute auditorium in the capital on Saturday.

The rally was organized by the teachers-employees union on World Teachers' Day.

Mirza Fakhrul said: 'The interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus has been assigned by the people who staged the movement...We all gave it the responsibility to take the country in the right direction. We are definitely giving them time, we will give them time."

Calling on the interim government to act quickly, he said: "The question comes up again and again, how much time will you give? We will give time until they (interim government) can arrange an election at a reasonable time. Those who do politics, stage protests and sacrifice lives, had only one goal - we want to establish the rights of people to vote, we want to establish democracy."

Alleging that there is a 'ghost of dictatorship' in the administration, the BNP secretary general said: "I want to request the interim government - the ghosts who have been oppressing the people for so long, who have committed corruption and looting, are still in the administration. These demons must be banished. Otherwise you will not be able to do anything."

Regarding the nationalization of teachers, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said: "Nationalization will not solve all your problems. The quality of education should be increased, qualified people should be brought."

"Teachers should not be partisan. They should stay away from party politics. Otherwise there will be no ideal educational institutions," he added.

Referring to the new possibilities and hope in the country, Fakhrul further said: "Change must be brought now. You have to work for it. If necessary, we would take to the streets again, if necessary, we would spill blood again."

"We will establish the people's rule in this country by creating national unity with everyone. We will realize the dream of Khaleda Zia and Tariq Rahman as well," he added.