DHAKA: BNP joint-secretary-general Mirza Faqrul Islam Alamgir Saturday termed the Chittagong City Corporation election a ‘turning point’ in national politics, as the opposition camp swept the important local-body polls.

“Through the election result, the people of the country started to stand against the fascist government,” he said.  

Alamgir was addressing a meeting organized by ‘Bangladesh Mafassal Manobadhiker Sangbadik Forum’ to observe what they said ‘Black day of newspaper’ at the National Press Club.

Referring to the election results, Alamgir said the people of Chittagong gave a message through the ballot that none can cling to power pursuing a policy of repression.  

Alamgir reminded that freedom of speech is the root of democracy and it is not possible to be in power infringing the freedom of press.

On the arrest of Editor of the now-defunct Amar Desh newspaper, Alamgir said Mahmudur Rahman played a valiant role during the state of emergency.

“Mahmud’s voice could not be stopped by torturing him because he speaks for the freedom,” he said.

President of Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal Moazzem Hossain Alal, assistant secretary-general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Abdul Kader Molla, president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Ruhul Amin Gazi and Secretary-General M A Aziz, and General Secretary of Dhaka Union of Journalists Baker Hossain also spoke at the meeting chaired by Md. Shakhawat Hossain Ibn Moen Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Mofassal Manobadhiker Sangbadik Forum.

BDST: 1613 Hrs, June 19, 2010
AZ/MMK/SA/FA/MUA