Fakhrul asks Krishak Dal to unite farmers against ‘fascist’ government

Stating that the farmers are now the most neglected section of people in Bangladesh, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged Krishak Dal leaders to organize the peasants for waging a strong anti-government movement.

“No one is now happy in Bangladesh and our farmers are the most neglected ones. They don't get the fair prices of their produce. They also don't get any help or any incentive from the government even at this horrible time of the coronavirus pandemic,” he claimed. 

Fakhrul made the comments while talking to the members of the newly-formed partial committee of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal, declared on Monday -- five months after its national council, at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.

He also asked them to form a full-fledged committee within a short time.

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“The central committee of the Krishak Dal was announced at the critical juncture of the nation. So, they’ve bigger responsibilities in organizing the farmers throughout the country by reaching out to them,” Fakhrul said.

He alleged that the current “fascist” government was trying to “usurp” power. “The people of all walks of life have to play a role in ousting this regime.  Our responsibility now is to organize ourselves and forge unity. There’s no other alternative to that.”

Criticizing the government for continuing its repressive acts, the former state minister said their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia had been kept under house arrest. 

“Around 35 lakh leaders and activists of our party are facing false cases while over 500 ones have disappeared and over 1,000 killed.”

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Speaking at the program, Krishak Dal President Hasan Jafir Tuhin said they would work sincerely to strengthen the movement for the “restoration” of democracy by mobilizing farmers' support across the country.

Hasan Jafir Tuhin has been made president while Shahidul Islam Babul general secretary of the seven-member partial committee of the Krishak Dal.

On December 30, 1980, BNP founder General Ziaur Rahman established the Krishak Dal to ensure the rights and welfare of farmers.