Stating that some political parties are resorting to various unfair tactics to block his party’s victory in the next election, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday urged all to confront politics with politics instead of stopping people from giving their verdict.
While virtually exchanging greetings with Hindu communities, he also sought their support and active cooperation for his party in the upcoming national election, saying it is a big opportunity to build a safe Bangladesh for the future generation.
“The surprising matter is that in a fascist-free Bangladesh, it is not the ruling government this time, but rather the attitude of some political figures and groups--who were comrades in the anti-fascist movement on the streets--now reflects the same tendency of the ousted fugitive autocratic regime to block BNP’s victory,” Tarique said.
In their efforts to stop BNP’s victory, he said the deposed fascist government once turned the country into a vast prison and a subservient state.
Tarique said even in today’s fascist-free Bangladesh, there are still some parties and quarters who fear that if the election is held, people will vote for BNP to form the government. “Out of this fear, they are resorting to evil tactics and setting conditions to obstruct BNP’s victory.”
“I would like to draw their attention by saying—confront politics with politics. Put your trust and confidence in people’s strength. If BNP’s victory truly comes from the people, then do not block the people’s right to give their mandate just to resist BNP’s triumph,” he said.
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BNP and Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha-Christian Kalyan Front arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna.
Tarique said his party believes the Proportional Representation (PR) system of election is still not suitable for Bangladesh considering its socio-economic, geographic and political realities.
“People have the right to know who they are voting for and which individual is being elected as their representative in Parliament. But under the PR system, voters have no clear way of knowing exactly which person is being elected,” he said.
The BNP leader said if any political party or individual wants to represent the nation in Parliament or government, they must directly face the people, win their trust and confidence, and earn their mandate through votes.
He expressed the hope that the differences among political parties over the PR system and a few other issues would be resolved smoothly over time.
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“Those trying to create a smokescreen ahead of the upcoming election may, perhaps unknowingly, be obstructing the path of democracy. At the same time, they could be paving the way for the rehabilitation of the ousted fascist government,” he said.
Referring to the February election, Tarique said statements or new conditions from certain political parties and quarters are creating confusion among people.
He said while not every issue requires consensus among all political parties, it is crucial to be united on matters related to protecting freedom, sovereignty, and national interest to prevent fascism.
Tarique greeted the Hindu community members in Bangladesh and abroad on the occasion of Janmashtami.
He also paid tribute to the Hindu community members who sacrificed their lives in the July-August mass uprising.
On the safety of the Hindu community, Tarique said in the past there have been attacks on Hindus, mostly driven by dishonest political motives or illegal greed, not religious reasons. “It is the responsibility of the state and government to ensure that no one faces attack or injustice for any reason,” he added.
BNP against PR system, says Fakhrul
Addressing the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the Awami League regime, which ruled the country for the past 16 years, has destroyed Bangladesh’s democratic structure.
He alleged that Awami League leaders indulged in massive corruption and siphoned off a huge amount of the country’s money abroad.
The BNP leader said there is now a strong effort to make people forget the Liberation War of 1971, urging all to unite against such attempt.
He said the Liberation War gave the nation its independence, territory and identity, while the July-August uprising offered people the dream of democracy. “Both must be remembered with equal importance.”
The BNP leader warned against the rise of extremism in Bangladesh, saying it must not be allowed to gain ground.
He urged everyone to avoid divisive politics and work together to protect the nation’s identity, safeguard its existence and advance Bangladesh’s progress.
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Fakhrul stressed the need for establishing the rule of law and restoring democracy in Bangladesh.
The BNP leader urged Hindu community members to remain alert so that no one can use communalism as a weapon to destabilise the country.
Reaffirming that BNP does not believe in communalism, Fakhrul said the party wants to build a rainbow nation ensuring communal harmony in Bangladesh.
BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Gono Forum Executive President Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, BNP Vice Chairman Netai Roy Chowdhury and party Executive Committee member Nipun Roy Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the programme.