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Published : 12 Jan 2026, 01:50 PM
Senior BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has criticised the interim government for “failing” to recover weapons looted during the July Uprising, calling the delay a major lapse.
On Monday, the BNP secretary general spoke at his residence in Kalibari of Thakurgaon town, expressing concern over the country's current law and order situation.
He believes it is a failure on the part of the government that the weapons have yet to be secured.
The veteran leader noted that he does not perceive any tangible improvement in public safety to date, though he remains optimistic that the situation will reach a “satisfactory level” during the election period.
Fakhrul also weighed in on the controversy sparked by cricketer Mustafizur Rahman's removal from the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the face of pressure from extremist groups over the alleged persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Backing the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their T20 World Cup 2026 games from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns, he said international politics and national pride are inextricably linked to the sport.
“Undoubtedly, one of our cricketers has been insulted. We believe this is an affront to our country,” he said, adding that while he supports the BCB's decision, he also thinks minor disputes are best settled through dialogue.
Terming the BNP a "proven political force”, Fakhrul mentioned that the party is actively engaging with the public.
He maintained that all major democratic milestones in the country were achieved by the BNP. “The transition from a single-party system to multi-party democracy, ensuring press freedom, and securing judicial independence -- these were all spearheaded by the BNP.
“We have done this in the past and have now guaranteed these through our 31-point proposal.”
He pointed out that the current reforms being adopted by the commissions are already present in the BNP’s proposals.
Fakhrul believes the party has proven its capability to deliver the “best results” through its previous experience in governing the country independently.
Assessing the electoral atmosphere, Fakhrul said the situation appears positive for now, though the reality will only become clear once official campaigning begins.
“Currently, everyone is focused on organisational matters and nominations. You will understand the true state of the election when the canvassing starts,” he added.
On river and water management, Fakhrul affirmed the BNP’s commitment to implementing the Teesta multipurpose project, the Padma project, and other shared river initiatives.
He said negotiations with India would ensure Bangladesh received its fair share of water while maintaining mutual respect and national dignity.
