BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that a political party in alliance with some other parties is creating pressure for a referendum before the next parliamentary polls as a part of conspiracy to disrupt the electoral process.

“I want to say very clearly, there is a conspiracy going on the elections. The election and the referendum must be held on the same day, and that election must be held in February 2026. Otherwise, the people of Bangladesh will not accept,” he said.  

Fakhrul Islam said this at a rally in front of the BNP Central Office at Nayapaltan marking the historic Revolution and Solidarity Day. 

Without mentioning any name he said the party has formed an alliance and creating pressure in various ways for holding the referendum before the 13th parliamentary polls.  

BNP secretary general insisted that the referendum should be held on Election Day to save public money and maintain the importance of the main vote.

“If you have to vote twice, a lot of money will be spent, and it will dampen the importance of the main election,” he added.

Calling on the youth to carry forward the party’s movement, Fakhrul said, “Let us move forward by paying respect to the sacrifices you have made, the souls of thousands of our leaders and activists who have been martyred, and ensure our victory.”

The BNP Secretary General reaffirmed BNP’s determination to participate in the upcoming polls, saying, “We will participate in the election and we will win this election and build a new Bangladesh.”

Describing BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman as the “leader of the modern democratic movement,” Fakhrul said BNP’s 31-point reform programme envisioned by Tarique Rahman will take forward the country. 

He said the interim government had begun working on reforms with BNP’s support, and after almost a year of preparation, all parties reached a consensus on October 17, signing agreements on the points where there was common ground.