, Dec. 14 -- BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the upcoming national election will be a contest between a pro-Bangladesh force and a backward force that uses religion to mislead people.

"This election will be a contest between two forces. One force stands for Bangladesh. This force stands for liberal democracy and the true establishment of democracy," he said.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the other force is backward and has always tried to confuse people in the name of religion.

Fakhrul said those who took part in the Liberation War to create an independent homeland can never forget 1971. "Because of 1971, we are alive today and living on this land."

He raised the question of choice befo...