“The struggle we're carrying out now is a fight for our survival and existence. It’s also a struggle for our freedom and sovereignty,” he said.

The BNP leader said, “We know this struggle is very difficult. The struggle for returning from dictatorship to democracy is also a very tough one. We’ve to win this battle. That’s why what we need now is a solid national unity and the unity of BNP and our all associate bodies.”

He made the remarks at a virtual discussion arranged by Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a platform of pro-BNP physicians, marking its founding anniversary.

Fakhrul alleged that the government has continued its 'repressive' acts to suppress its political opponents.

He said their party leaders and activists are making huge sacrifices and undergoing serious harassments and repressions for the cause of democracy. “Around one lakh cases were filed against our 35 lakh leaders and activists, while over 1,000 of them killed and over 500 of the made disappeared.”

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The BNP leader bemoaned that even doctors belong to opposition parties are not spared from ‘repressive’ acts. “We must defeat the current horrible monster. We must remove this terrible one-party governing system by forging national unity.”

Fakhrul said the country’s economy is now in a bad shape due to coronavirus, putting many people in serious trouble. “We also must overcome this situation.”