BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday questioned why discussions on reforms are still continuing after 14 months, urging the government to close the chapter based on the consensus already reached among political parties.
“We have no objection to the exercises carried out by the Consensus Commission. But why, after 14 months, do we still have to discuss these issues?” he said while addressing a seminar.
Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, said the matters on which consensus has already been reached should now be considered settled.
“Why do we have to keep discussing beyond that consensus, why are we still talking about PR? If there is no consensus on PR, close the chapter…Honestly speaking, on the matters where consensus has been reached, the chapter should now be closed,” he said.
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‘Democracy Dias’ Bangladesh organised the seminar titled ‘Reform and Election: Context of National Unity’ at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
Khosru reminded that BNP presented its Vision 2030 nine years ago outlining reforms, later announced 27 points, and then declared 31 points after discussions with partners in the simultaneous movement. “So, we have no objection to reforms and discussions on them.”
Khosru argued that no party has the mandate to decide the future of Bangladesh by sitting around a table. “We talk about people’s ownership, but then we sit among a few parties and try to decide the future of the country. Who gave us that right?”
He stressed that all reform proposals must eventually go to the people for their mandate through elections.
“The easy way is what we have done — we have already declared our 31 points and will place them before the people in the upcoming election. But beyond that, an exercise is going on, and we must consider whether it is causing more harm than good… Are we confusing the nation? Are we constantly creating division among the people without any reason?” the BNP leader said.
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Khosru also warned that forcing consensus through commissions could harm democracy. “Countries that have fallen into this cycle have ended up in a very bad situation. We cannot push Bangladesh in that direction.”
He called for restoring a democratic order through elections first. “Once democracy returns, every party will have the right to go to the people with their demands and create public opinion. That is the essence of democracy.”
Referring to BNP’s pledges, Khosru said the party has plans for creating one crore jobs and providing free primary healthcare. “We believe the election will be held in February as announced, and Bangladesh will return to stability. Then we will carry out the reforms we have promised.”