Dhaka: Congratulating people on the occasion of English New Year, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday called on all to get united to restore the ‘lost democracy and voting rights’.

‘I wish the New Year will bring unending happiness and peace in everybody’s life and put an end to all repressions, injustice, killings, enforced disappearances, war and conflicts, inhumanity and repressive and barbaric acts,’ she said in a message on the eve of the New Year.

She also hoped that the New Year will inspire all to move forward with a fresh vigour putting aside all failures, disgrace, conflicts and frustrations of the previous year.

Besides, the BNP chief said, ‘We must be active from the very first day of the New Year to build a better future making the best of the past experiences.’

‘The previous year will remain as our memory on one hand and hurt us for many bitter experiences, pain of losing dear and near ones and our rights on the other. I’ll also create pressure on us to go ahead with a fresh drive,’ she observed.

Khaleda alleged that democracy in Bangladesh has been put at stake with an evil design. ‘We all must work together to turn the New Year into a year of democracy, peace and progress.’

Mentioning that democracy earned by sacrificing huge blood is now abducted, she said the anti-people forces have also besieged people’s all democratic rights. ‘Under the circumstances, multiparty democracy will have to be restored through a united struggle of democratic forces.’