BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that the ruling Awami League has turned Bangladesh into a "failed state."

"It's our misfortune that no institution has developed in the country. Good quality education and healthcare systems have not flourished. No system has developed for peaceful transition of power. As a result, our Bangladesh has turned into a failed state. Awami League has major contributions to it," he said.

Fakhrul said: "They (Awami League) came to power after the country's independence. Instead of turning Bangladesh into a prosperous one, they (Awami League) introduced one-party ruling system. They snatched the freedom of speech of people. In sequel to it, Awami League is now trying to introduce one-party system again."

He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion held at Jatiya Press Club in the city on Sunday (August 7) afternoon.

Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) arranged the discussion on its 33rd founding anniversary.

Mirza Fakhrul said DAB was established being imbued with the spirit of Bangladeshi nationalism. It has been working constantly for the country's common people and delivering healthcare services. It has rushed to different remote places of the country during natural disasters, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said it is desirable that the professionals would become political conscious, but should never be mixed with politics. Bangladesh is now going through a devastating situation. "A government is now power which has no legitimacy. They have grabbed the state power making the entire world a fool," he said.

Mirza Fakhrul said Awami League held an "election of vote rigging" in 2008. It again held a "farcical election" in 2014. Everyone knows what had happened in 2018. Parliament has turned into a "rubber stamp." One speaker speaks there and the rest others praise her. It is the government which has forced people to hate election.

With DAB president Professor Dr Harun al Rashid in the chair, the discussion was jointly moderated by senior joint secretary general Dr Mehedi Hasan and Dr Md Abul Kalam.ৃ

The discussion was also addressed by Reazul Islam Rizu of DAB, Kader Gani Chowdhury of Dhaka Union of Journalist, central BNP leader Shamimur Rahman Shamim, Dr Shahidul Alam, Engr Mahbub Alam of Ziaur Rahman Foundation, DAB's Dr Md Abdus Salam, Dr MA Selim, Dr Zahirul Islam Shakil, Dr Sirajul Islam, Dr Sayedul Huque, Dr Porimol Chandra, Dr Faruque Kashem, Dr Quamrul Hasan Sarder and Dr Md Fakhruzzaman, among others.