BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned the attempts to create a division between the 15-year-long movement for democracy and the July uprising. He argued that the recent uprising was the culmination of the prolonged struggle led by BNP. “In these 15 years, Elias Ali, Chowdhury Alam, and Sumon have disappeared. Why? Because they were vocal about free elections and liberating Bangladesh from fascism,” he said. Rizvi claimed that the ultimate manifestation of this struggle came when young protesters sacrificed their lives in July-August to remove Sheikh Hasina. Addressing Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who now serves as Chief Adviser, Rizvi urged, “People trust you. We hope you will ensure a free and fair election.”