Staff Reporter:
Stating that people have started suspecting the intentions of the interim government, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged to provide an election roadmap immediately to maintain public confidence.
Speaking at a discussion, he also called on the advisers of the government to refrain from misleading people with their unguarded remarks.
“It’s ultimately not your (advisers’) responsibility to run the country. Organize an election quickly and let the politicians do this job,” the BNP leader said.
He added that their party has already presented a 31-point reform proposal, prepared with other demo-cratic parties, which would be sufficient to ensure a healthy democratic atmosphere in the country.
“We have proposed reforms; from there, you can decide which ones to adopt and which ones to reject, but ultimately, the real task is to hold the elections after reconstituting the Election Commission,” Fakhrul said.
“Present a roadmap and clearly state when you will do what. If you do that, people will have confidence. People want to know the election date and when it will be held,” he said.
The Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad, a platform of pro-BNP professionals, organized the pro-gram at the National Press Club to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day, commemorating the “civil-military uprising” of 7 November 1975.
Fakhrul said the government should prioritize restoring the democratic atmosphere in the country. “BNP is advocating for elections not for its own benefit, but for the benefit of the nation.”
He pointed out that various conspiracies are underway to destabilize the country, including targeting its garment sector. “There are also malicious efforts to create communal tensions in Bangladesh. Factories, which are a great asset to our country, are being set on fire.”
The BNP leader said that the current government is unable to take effective action against the plotters because it lacks political power. “If there were an elected government, with the support of the people, no one would be able to do this so easily.”
“We politicians are advising, based on our wisdom, that elections should be held promptly. We are not saying this to bring the BNP to power. If elections are delayed, the situation will worsen, and those who seek to destroy democracy and stability in Bangladesh will rise again,” Fakhrul warned.
He also criticized the conflicting statements coming from individuals within the government, which, he said, are confusing the public.
“Focus on one thing: fix the Election Commission, the administration, and the judiciary and then move towards holding the election. The rest will be handled by those who are elected,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul reiterated that if BNP returns to power with a public mandate, it will not govern alone. “We will form a national government and run the country with those who have stood with us in the street movement. So, where is the problem? Where is the doubt? People are starting to doubt you (govt).”
He said people are sensing that the country may be heading in a different direction. “Bangladesh has ex-perience in pushing towards a different path… we want the government to succeed because its success is our success. If it fails, we will fail. We do not want Sheikh Hasina to return. We do not want the misrule of the Awami League to return.”
