<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that Bangladesh is now completely under the grip of mafias and plunderers.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Talking to reporters on the premises of Zaiur Rahman’s grave, the BNP leader also said the current government’s main goal is to turn Bangladesh into a failed state by depleting its assets on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>"Bangladesh is now entirely under the control of offenders, looters, and mafias. On one hand, they (govt) are snatching political rights of people, on the other, they are destroying the economy,” he said.</div><div><br></div><div>Fakhrul said their party and other opposition parties have continued their movement against the current regime. “Inshallah, we’ll emerge victorious in this struggle.”</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, Fakhrul, accompanied by BNP leaders and workers, paid homage to its founder and late President Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath, marking his 43rd death anniversary.</div><div><br></div><div>They also participated in a milad and doa mahfil seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Zia and the good health of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.</div><div><br></div><div>He said they came to pay tribute to their party founder and great leader Ziaur Rahman when democracy is completely exiled in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>The BNP leader also said the ruling Awami League has taken away the voting rights of the people by using various tactics and usurped power to restore one-party rule in a different manner.</div><div><br></div><div>"So on the anniversary of his (Zia’s) martyrdom, we have taken an oath that we, the young, the old, and the women, will intensify the movement that is going on now to protect our rights, the independence, and sovereignty of the country. We’ll establish a pro-people government by defeating this terrible monstrous regime through this movement,” Fakhrul said.</div><div><br></div><div>Ziaur Rahman, who founded the BNP in 1978, was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd/fas</div>