The secretary general of BNP has claimed that 80 per cent people will cast vote for their party if the next election is held in a fair and credible manner.
He came up with the prediction on Thursday while addressing a discussion arranged by his party at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium, marking the 82nd birth anniversary of its founder late President Ziaur Rahman.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "The party, founded by Ziaur Rahman, is still in people's hearts. I would like to urge the government to hold a credible and neutral election, and then you will see 80 per cent people will vote for BNP."
The BNP and its associate bodies have planned to celebrate Zia's birth anniversary across the country on Friday with various programmes.
Mr Fakhrul called upon BNP leaders and activists to get well-organised to force the government for holding the next polls under a neutral administration. "Don't get upset as we must break the current deadlock. We don't want to see the current fascist and repressive regime in power anymore."
Also, he urged the government to step down to install a pro-people government through a meaningful and credible election. Or else, the senior BNP leader warned, the government will have to face a dire consequence because of public wraths.
UNB quoted BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain as saying that Awami League is scared of their party due to its huge popularity and success in running the country.
He warned that the government will not be able to suppress BNP leaders and activists with its repressive acts as people are with them. "You (govt) must hold the next polls under a non-party neutral administration, no matter what conspiracies you hatch."
Another party standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed criticised the government for, what he said, denying their party of permission to hold political programmes including rallies.
"We've been forced to hold this discussion programme on a limited scale. We've been cornered. They don't give us permission for holing public meetings. Let's boycott this permission-based politics. We must put up a resistance. We shouldn't wait for permission to hold any programme."
Mr Moudud also said their party will surely 'restore' democracy, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary overcoming all the obstacles created by the government.