Online Desk: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, addressing a gathering in Thakurgaon on Wednesday, depicted a grim picture of life under what he termed an “extreme fascist regime” in Bangladesh.

He emphasized the urgent need for national unity to combat the government’s “authoritarian” policies, dismissing the significance of individual or party prominence over the collective fight for rights.

Speaking at an event organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum, he criticized the government’s deviation from constitutional principles, highlighting rampant corruption and the politicization of state institutions as key issues plaguing the nation. The entire state apparatus has been transformed into a “party tool,” the BNP leader said, adding that it has led to a widespread sense of helplessness among the populace.

Fakhrul pointed to the loss of judicial independence and the biased nature of law enforcement agencies, accusing the current administration of converting the state into a “one-party” dominion and rendering elections “a mockery.” He further alleged that opposition parties were sidelined from participating in what he called “sham election,” orchestrated solely by the ruling Awami League.

Reflecting on the historical context, the BNP leader recalled periods of one-party rule under the Awami League and lamented the ongoing struggles faced by political opponents, including the incarceration of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and “over 30,000” party leaders and activists on various charges.

The discussion was attended by notable figures from the legal and political communities, including Mirza Faisal Amin, Advocate Abdul Halim, Advocate Joynal Abedin, Advocate Mohammad Fazle Alam, and Advocate Sarwar Hossain, among others.