BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Saturday said banning any political party is not the solution to problems, as people themselves eliminate any party that goes against their interests.

“From my political experience, I can say that banning a political party never solves a political problem… If a just society, the rule of law, and judicial independence can be ensured, then the people will decide, through democratic means, which party should or shouldn’t exist,” he said.

The 12-Party Alliance, a like-minded coalition of the BNP, organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the removal of obstacles to the homecoming of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and ensuring maximum security for him.

Gayeshwar, a BNP Standing Committee member, said the Muslim League was the main architect behind the creation of Pakistan. “But now, it’s difficult to find any trace of its existence.”

He mentioned that Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) was once a major political force after the country's Liberation War, but it has splintered into several factions.

The BNP leader said many other parties have also lost their existence after being rejected by the people. “Those who take a stand against the people become eliminated naturally.”

Gayeshwar said if people believe that the Awami League is poisonous for the country and democracy, then they will reject it.

Take action against those formed illegal parliaments, governments: Tarique

Apparently opposing the ongoing movement seeking a ban on the Awami League, he asked, “Is there any guarantee that those who want to ban the Awami League now will not want to ban the BNP in a few days?”

Gayeshwar also questioned why there should be a need for people to demand the banning of the Awami League.

“If Sheikh Hasina, (former Prime Minister) could declare Jamaat-e-Islami banned using executive powers, then why is the interim government now playing games and asking what the people want? What is the need for this? What are they trying to demonstrate? We must understand this,” he said.

The BNP leader claimed that former President Abdul Hamid cannot travel abroad without the government's approval.

Gayeshwar also said it is not believable that the former president crossed immigration without the government’s consent.

“Abdul Hamid left the country — how could he go unnoticed? He’s a two-time President of the country. No agency knew he was still in the country, no one knew he was buying a plane ticket, or what time his flight was?” he said.

Gayeshwar alleged that those responsible for the 1/11 political changeover in 2007 are now pulling the strings of the interim government from behind the scenes.

He called on the government to clearly state whether there are any obstacles to Tarique Rahman’s homecoming. “We now want to hear from the government that there are no barriers to Tarique Rahman returning home. Let the head of the government say it clearly,” Gayeshwar said.

Criticising the government for buying time under the guise of reform before holding elections, the BNP leader said the interim administration has wrongly positioned democracy and reform as being in opposition to one another.

“Democracy and reform are not enemies. In fact, they are complementary. Once democracy is restored, implementing reforms will become easier. A government elected by the people will be able to remove the anti-people clauses from the current constitution and enact new laws,” he said.