National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam on Monday said if there had not been a mass uprising on August 5, none would even have dreamt of an election.
He also said, "Under fascist Hasina, you would have had to wait another four years for an election. We want justice for all the crimes committed by the previous regime, including for massacre. We want reform of state structures, and we want elections too."
He came up with the comments during a street rally as part of its programme titled "Desh Gorte July Padojatra" (Road March to Build the Nation) at Faujdari intersection in Jamalpur town.
He also said, "The students and people have toppled the fascist government and ushered in the birth of a new Bangladesh. The families of those who were martyred do not ask for money, they seek respect. They want the ideals for which their loved ones sacrificed lives to be realised."
Welcoming the initiative to form a "Police Commission" under the National Consensus Commission, Nahid said, "We want a Bangladesh where the police are not politically biased, where the Election Commission is not politicised. We want the police to stand with the people."
He also said, "A new Bangladesh must be brought forth through reforms. The reforms should be such that no single individual can monopolise absolute power. The July Charter must be announced by August 5. Those who have not yet reached the consensus due to party interests come forward now for the sake of the countrymen."
The march began at 11:45am from Tamaltala intersection.
Earlier, around 10am, Nahid met with the families of those martyred in the July mass uprising at the Dak Bungalow in a courtesy meeting.
Last night, he visited the shrine of Hazrat Shahjamal (R), the Dayamoyee Temple, and engaged in discussions at the Harijan settlement.
