BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday questioned the intentions of those who prioritise reforms over elections and democracy.
"You’re separating politics, elections, and democracy while prioritising reforms. That’s why it seems to us there’s some evil intention behind it. It can’t happen,” he told a reunion event of the 88th batch of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations, at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh.
The BNP leader said there is nothing wrong in saying that elections and reforms can go together. "If we talk about elections, the interim government gets angry and upset. They say they will arrange the election after the reforms."
He said when the government only talks about reforms, it reminds the nation of the rule of Moyeenuddin-Fakhruddin(2007-8).
It’s not true BNP prioritising election over reforms: Fakhrul
“They also talked about reforms. As a result, we got a dangerous monster who destroyed Bangladesh and all its democratic institutions over the last 15 years.”
Rizvi said an attempt is underway to divide those who have been continuously struggling for democracy and to turn them against each other. “The interim government, whether knowingly or unknowingly, is going to become an opponent.”
He said the interim government and those who advocate for reforms before elections are creating narratives in which major political parties, who have carried out the struggle for democracy over years, are termed as their opponents.
“Someone is telling us whether the movement occurred and whether so many sacrifices were made only for the sake of an election. But elections are an integral part of democracy. So why are you excluding it? Reforms and elections should go together,” he said.
Rizvi said the interim government should present reform proposals, and those who form the government through a free and fair election shoild implement them. “Instead of doing that, you’re creating opponents. You’re making elections the opponent of reforms.”
State agency trying to form a ‘King's Party’: Rizvi
The BNP leader said it seems the interim government wants to hold back the election, and by extension democracy, under the pretext of reform.
“Even the Chief Adviser is talking like this. The other advisers are saying, 'We’ll reform because you (politicians) couldn’t do anything over the last 53 years. Who are you (to do that)?”
He was referring to a recent statement by Environmental Affairs dviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
Rizvi criticised those advocating for proportional representation, stating the people will not accept it.
“Those who fear direct popular vote and direct competition, and those who want to fish in troubled waters, are bringing up this issue,” he said.
The BNP leader said the people of the country are worried as fallen anti-democratic forces and their allies are conspiring in various ways, causing one untoward incident after another.
Rizvi also spoke about the deadly fire that broke out at the Secretariat, destroying numerous files and documents.
‘Advisers not fit to be our opponents’: BNP’s Nazrul
“Among them, the files of the most controversial, corrupt former cabinet secretary, who is under investigation, were also burned. It's mysterious. People all over the country are doubting this.”
He said the fire incident occurred after the government sought some files related to people close to Sheikh Hasina. “So, this is not an isolated incident. People’s doubts are natural.”
Rizvi accused the government of failing to overhaul the administration by upholding the spirit of the mass revolution.
He said the DCs, SPs, OCs, and others who joined their offices wearing Mujib coats still remain in their positions.
“Why should they help you? They’ll try to undermine the interim government through various ploys,” he said.