BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed has said that their party is planning to launch a ‘movement’ to help the interim government correct its errors and pave the way for establishing a democratically elected government.
"Any government can make mistakes in its decisions... the interim government may not make all decisions flawlessly... they can also make mistakes," he said while addressing a discussion on Wednesday.
The Bangladesh Journalists’ Association organised the programme titled "July Mass Uprising: Mass Media and Journalism" at the Jatiya Press Club on Wednesday.
Salahuddin, a BNP standing committee member, said political parties, democratic and social forces, as well as the media, have a responsibility to help the government understand its mistakes and govern the country properly by addressing them.
"From that perspective, our party is considering taking swift actions to help the government fix its mistakes and get back on the right path to build a democratic road and clear the way for an elected political government...you can call that (action) as a movement or as criticism," he said.
The BNP leader said that it is vital to criticise the interim government for its wrong steps and decisions in order to guide it and keep it on track.
Take revenge on AL by implementing 31-point: Tarique tells BNP workers
He said many questions have arisen regarding what kind of reforms the nation wants, as well as how and when the elections should be conducted.
Salahuddin also said there are questions concerning the government's success, failure, decisions, and indecision. "So, if we want this interim government to succeed, we must offer sufficient criticism to guide and direct it. We may even have to stage street protests to bring the government back on track.”
He said there will be discussions and debates among the democratic forces in Bangladesh, and decisions should be made in favour of the people upholding the democratic process. "We’ll be defeated, but we’ll let the people win."
The BNP leader acknowledged that one good quality of the current government is that it adjusts its actions in response to criticism.
Salahuddin voiced concern over the delay in initiating the process for holding the national election, saying, “If the election is delayed, the government must justify the reasons to the people.”
He observed that six months have already elapsed since the interim government assumed power. “Reform commissions have submitted their reports to the government 14-15 days ago, but no initiative has been taken yet to engage political parties, social forces and experts in discussions on the reports.”
No protest programmes by AL to be allowed: Shafiqul Alam
The BNP leader expressed the hope that the government would prioritise issues where consensus could be reached.
Salahuddin also said that while the reform reports are well-prepared, not all issues raised are relevant or feasible within the political and social culture of Bangladesh. "Those involved in the reform commissions are also human beings... So, there is no certainty that all your statements and recommendations are 100% correct...that is why discussions are important.”
He also stressed the need for fostering national unity to resist the rise of fascism. "It is essential to maintain the mass expectations created through the mass uprising and national unity must be preserved.”
The BNP leader believes that the role of an interim government is crucial to prevent any division within the national unity against fascism.
Salahuddin Ahmed criticised the Awami League for establishing fascism, indulging in mass killings, committing crimes against humanity and manipulating the election to stay in power.
He, however, said the country's people will determine the fate of the Awami League whether it should be banned and barred from the election.
Bangladesh media enjoying unprecedented freedom: Dr Yunus
The BNP leader said the Awami League had committed mass killings in the country with a fascist character and crimes against humanity, based on the party’s political decisions and the instruction of its unelected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. So, the individuals and that political organisation (AL) must be brought to justice.”
“There are cases in the International Crimes Tribunal and other courts for the trial of individuals. But the provision for the trial of organisations is also there in Article 47 of the Constitution…but why are we not more vocal about the trial of the organisation?” Salahuddin said.
He said there was supposed to be an amendment to the International Criminal Tribunal Act for the trial of the Awami League as an organisation, but the government backed away from it. “Now, if some advisers within the government say that they want a trial of the Awami League, then no action has been taken to do so.”
The BNP leader said the trial of fascist forces, murderers of democracy, perpetrators of genocide and those who have committed crimes against humanity should be conducted, and people would accept it.
Salahuddin welcomed the student leaders’ initiative to form a new political party. “I respect student leaders and their aspirations,” he said, issuing a warning against using governmental power and fascist tactics to achieve political success.
On constitutional reforms, he questioned the proposal to include the July mass uprising in the same paragraph as the 1971 Liberation War in the constitution's preamble.
The BNP leader said equating the essence of independence with any other issues in the constitution is inappropriate.