Shawdesh desk:

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday bemoaned that their party has failed to strengthen its different bodies, including labour and student wings, to succeed in the anti-governmental movement.

“We’re now just doing some formalities by arranging milad, prayer sessions and remembrance meetings. How will we carry out the movement without invigorating our organisations?” he said.

Speaking at a virtual discussion, the BNP leader said their party must strengthen their two important wings — Jatiaytabadi Sramik Dal and Chhatra Dal — to ensure the fall of the current ‘fascist’ regime through a strong movement.

“We can’t build these organisations in that way. That’s our failure. So, I would request, let’s all communicate with each other, let’s discuss and try to figure out how to rebuild these organisations,” he said.

Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal arranged the programme marking the first death anniversary of ex-labour leader Zafrul Hasan.

Fakhrul said though the owners of different factories and industries are making huge money and accumulating assets both at home and abroad, their workers are passing through immense sufferings. “They live in slums and can’t even manage two two-square meals every day. But no one raises voice over the matter.”

He said the politicians and labour leaders should talk about the rights and sufferings of the workers.

The BNP leader demanded the government provide the workers with subsidy as they are hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing lockdown.

“Workers must be given subsidy during this Covid-19 period. Every labour leader and worker must get relief assistance from the government. This is the biggest demand at the moment,” he observed.

Fakhrul recalled Zafrul Hasan’s role in ensuring the rights of workers.

Noted labour leader Zafrul Hasan, an adviser to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and former general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, died on April 6 last year.