BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy paying tribute at the grave of BNP founder and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Monday. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, May 27, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has said that fair elections are crucial to restoring democracy; otherwise, the mass uprising planned for July will not succeed.

He made the remark after paying tribute at the grave of BNP founder and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Monday.

The BNP leader said the party has been struggling over the last 17 years to establish the people's right to vote through free and fair elections. He also alleged that numerous false cases had been filed against Begum Khaleda Zia during the party's democratic movement.

"There was even an attempt to kill Begum Zia," he added.

Gayeshwar said: "The establishment of democracy will be ensured through the restoration of the people's voting rights."

Referring to BNP's involvement in the upcoming July movement alongside students, Roy said that although the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is living abroad, he is trying to remain by the side of the people and keep the nation united.

He further noted that BNP has extended its support to the student-people's uprsing.

Adviser to the BNP Chairperson Abdus Salam, Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Executive Committee Members - Aparna Roy, Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah, and former Chhatra Dal President of Narayanganj district Zakir Khan, among others, accompanied Roy during the paying of homage.