Dhaka, May 10 -- BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has claimed Bangladesh's 180 million people no longer want to see the Awami League.

Speaking at a rally titled "Establishing Youth Rights" at Chattogram's Polo Ground on Saturday afternoon, Fakhrul said: "While we're holding this rally here, another one is happening at New Market, and another in Dhaka. What's the demand? The demand is to ban the Awami League.

"The 180 million people of this country no longer want the Awami League. Why? Because since independence, this party has persecuted the people. It destroyed democracy, imposed one-party rule through BAKSAL, and crippled the economy."

Fakhrul added: "We are going through a difficult and abnormal time. Hasina may hav...