Dhaka: BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the government is obstructing their party's iftar programmes across the country although it talks about religious freedom.

"The government is thwarting our religious and ifatr programmes all over the country. They're not only hindering our programmes, but also arresting our party men who are arranging those, exposing the government's real colour. The government's call for ensuring religious freedom and not hurting anybody's religious sentiment is nothing but a deception," he said.

Fakhrul came up with the remarks while speaking at an iftar party arranged by Jamiat-e Ulama-e Islam, a component of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, at a city hotel.

He said the government is trying to keep BNP out of politics by obstructing its any political and organisational activities. "Though they speak about secularism, they're blocking our religious programmes."

The BNP leader said religious harmony in the country are being destroyed as different religious and ethnic communities, their houses and worship places are bing attacked. "Even, our ethnic minority community members were attacked and repressed in Rangamati a few days back."

Fakhrul said the country's economy is not in a good shape due to mismanagement, corruption and wrong polices of the government. "The government has now no control over the banking sector."

He said their party wants the next election to be held under a neutral and non-party administration so that all the parties can participate in it, and people can cast their ballots freely.

But, the BNP leader said the government is making various plots to hold a unilateral election.
"We would like to say a level-playing field must be ensured for all parties. We hope good sense will prevail upon the government to hold a credible election showing respect for people's hopes and aspirations."

Top leaders of the BNP-led 20-party alliance attended the iftar.