Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Wednesday urged the interim government to hold talks with the political parties within the quickest possible time to assess the aspirations of the people.
“The interim government should sit with the political parties immediately to know what the people and political parties want,” BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters at a briefing at party chairperson’s political office at Gulshan in the capital.
The BNP held the briefing to apprise the nation of the outcome of a meeting of its standing committee.
The BNP secretary general said that the interim government assumed office after a mass upsurge.
“We must give them a reasonable time for its tenure to avert any misunderstandings. We’re still extending all necessary cooperation,” he said.
“We have long been fighting for the restoration of democratic practice. That is why we will ask for the polls and we have the rights,” he added. When asked to explain the logical timeframe for the interim government, the BNP leader stated that it is a matter of discussion.
“We need to determine it through mutual discussion. We must address what we want, what they want, and what the people want. The current government needs to engage in talks with political parties very soon. I previously emphasised this, and I am reiterating today that discussions should be held promptly. Otherwise, misunderstandings could arise,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul said that people want to see a democratic setup.
“They want democracy and elections. They become happy when elections take place and accept the outcome of a free and fair election. We must keep these things in mind,” he said.
He said that if anyone asks the people, they will assert that holding elections is necessary now.
“The major businessmen in Bangladesh believe an elected government is essential for their businesses, industrial development, and the smooth functioning of the economy. They’re clearly saying the sooner this happens, the better,” he added.
The BNP leader said that businessmen are saying they do not feel encouraged to engage in business, including the proper import and export of goods, unless there is an elected government.
“This is the reality. You (journalists) can verify this by speaking with the businessmen and their leaders,” he added.
“If I were to think that an individual or a few individuals could create a paradise, it would be a mistaken. The people will decide how the country should be run,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul said that all the political parties waged movement when the provision of the caretaker government system was scrapped.
He said many parties went through repression. Even, offices of the political parties were shut down.
Mentioning that their party supports state reforms, Fakhrul reminded that BNP presented a 31-point outline over a year ago aimed at ‘reforming’ the constitution and state system and ensuring economic emancipation.
He said they are willing to provide a reasonable timeframe and extend full cooperation to the interim government established through a mass upsurge.
“We’ll continue to do so as long as we believe the government is on the right track,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul alleged that a concerted negative campaign against the party is underway and he recalled past efforts to eliminate the party as part of a depoliticisation move following the 1/11 political changeover in 2007.
Calling upon all political parties not to make any statements that could create division among the people, he said, “We’re observing that some criminals in certain areas are indulging in offences such as occupying and jockeying for control, and efforts are being made to shift the blame onto the BNP. We would like to make it clear that neither the leaders and activists of the BNP nor those of its associated bodies are involved in criminal activities.”
When asked for his comment on Jamaat Amir Shafiqur Rahman’s remarks about the BNP's demand for early elections and its leaders’ alleged involvement in usurpation, Fakhrul said, “It’s a well-thought-out plot. What happened during 1/11 was an attempt at depoliticisation. We haven’t forgotten it.”
He said that those who lack public support and are believed by the people to be incapable of effectively running the government have different thoughts. “I’m not naming any party.”
Fakhrul said they should not forget the depoliticisation efforts of the 1/11 regime for the sake of politics, democracy, and the country's welfare. “Even at that time, there were attempts to completely abolish and eliminate our party. We cannot forget these things.”
“If we see those same faces again, it raises considerable suspicion and questions. That’s why we do not want to see the faces of those who worked as allies of the previous Awami League government, those who assisted in their actions, and those who committed murders. The people of this country also do not want to see those who have worked to obstruct and destroy democracy,” the BNP leader observed.
BNP against banning any political party
When his attention was drawn to the lifting of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Fakhrul said, “We’re not in favour of banning any political party, regardless of which party it is.”
He said that the right to form organisations, which the Constitution guarantees for every citizen, should be upheld.
The BNP secretary general said that a party which doesn’t believe in the independence of Bangladesh should not be supported. “But we think that people have the right to establish organisations. It is their constitutional right to engage in politics. Anyone can do so. We have nothing against it,” he said.
Lawsuits shouldn’t be filed wholesale
Noting that many cases are now being filed at random, Fakhrul requested the law enforcement agencies to conduct primary verification first before accepting these cases.
“I think this practice needs to be stopped completely. The way cases are being lodged will not consolidate this revolution,” he said, urging his party leaders and activists not to file any cases that lack merit,” he said.
The BNP leader said they came to know that cases are being filed against the Deputy Commissioners of districts. “It (filing cases against them) is not a right thing,” he said.
About the minority issue, Fakhrul said many campaigns are being carried out from abroad, especially from India, in a bid to undermine the revolution in Bangladesh. “They want to make some political issues as communal issues, which is unacceptable,” he said.
He said the campaigns are being conducted targeting BNP, which is quite unfair.
“There is a planned campaign to undermine the BNP's contribution. We’ve struggled for a long time. We’ve struggled for 15 years for democracy and the right to vote. It should be remembered that no problem can be solved without an elected parliament in a democracy,” he said.
