We never said reforms should come after elections: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "We have said that the minimum reforms necessary for a fair and free election need to be made. We never said reforms should come after the elections. This is being misinterpreted. The public is being misled. We have said that the necessary reforms should be made to ensure a fair election."

He made these remarks while exchanging Eid greetings with party leaders and activists at his residence in Thakurgaon district town on Wednesday (April 2) at around 11:30 AM.

He further added, "There is a smear campaign targeting BNP. The relationship between the people and all political parties—Awami League, BNP, Jamaat, NCP, Zaker Party, and others—is with the people. And those who have come for reforms are learned people, scholars, people with great degrees. We respect and honor them, but if they go beyond the people and do something, we cannot support it."

Mirza Fakhrul said, "Democracy is the best system for governing a state. If political parties become authoritarian out of fear, then the situation would be like that of the Awami League. If authoritarianism takes root here, the people themselves will remove them. So, the people are not at fault for that. Democracy is the best system."

At this time, leaders and activists from the district BNP and its associated and allied organizations were present.