BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday warned that those opposing elections will be excluded from politics or face political consequences.
“Any debate in the political field will be answered in the field itself. Whoever speaks against elections will be eliminated from politics,” he told journalists at his Gulshan residence.
Referring to potential alliances, Salahuddin said BNP may consider joining forces with those who had stood with the party in joint movements against the Awami League government.
“Any political party has the right not to take part in an election. But those who unjustifiably seek opportunities to boycott will ultimately fall behind in future politics,” he said.
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The BNP leader dismissed concerns regarding the upcoming general election, scheduled for February, saying there is ‘no apprehension’ about the polls. “Some parties are trying to create confusion, but this is merely a political tactic.”
Highlighting the importance of the election, Salahuddin said it would be a ‘significant and historic event’ in Bangladesh’s political history. “The election atmosphere is already there in the country. Those who oppose it will only damage their own politics,” he added.
On constitutional and political reforms, Salahuddin said some commitments in the July Charter appeared unreasonable.
He, however, assured that BNP would participate in the commission’s discussions with alternative proposals. “Nothing can be placed above the Constitution. Through discussions, political parties will reach a consensus.”
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The BNP leader said constitutional reforms must be undertaken on the basis of national consensus, to be implemented after the parliamentary election, which would further strengthen the democratic process.
Salahuddin said BNP does not want complications over elections under an interim government. “The present government was formed through consensus. Once the caretaker system is reinstated, it may be applied in the next election. For now, the polls will be held within the announced timeframe,” he said.
On alliances with Islamist parties, he ruled out any chance of forging an electoral alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami before the election.
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“However, there may be alliances with parties that were part of our joint movement. Discussions are also going on with several pro-Islamic parties, though nothing is final yet,” he added.
He said the possibility of alliances with parties involved in previous movements would become clearer after further talks.