Dhaka, Sept. 28 -- BNP's acting chairperson Tarique Rahman has warned that failure to build unity among democratic forces might open the door to what he termed "pseudo-fascism" in the days ahead.

"Without unity-without an alliance of democratic voices-just as dictatorship once gained ground through the 2008 so-called election and the 1/11 episode, we may again face a rise of pseudo-fascism," Tarique said in a virtual address as chief guest at the Cumilla South BNP conference held at Cumilla Town Hall on Saturday.

"Our guiding principle must be the will of the people. The message is simple: Bangladesh comes first.

That is our starting point and our ultimate goal," he declared. Tarique stressed that it is no longer the time for words alo...