BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said those who want to discover ‘Ziaism’ (Ziabad in Bangla) do not have good intentions.
Speaking at a discussion on Saturday, he warned that if the interim government has any plans beyond democratic means to achieve its objectives, the consequences will not be good, and BNP’s support for it may not be sustained.
Zia Parishad arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, titled “Shaheed Zia's Contributions to the Great Liberation War and the Building of Modern Bangladesh”, marking the 89th birth anniversary of BNP founder and martyr President Ziaur Rahman.
“We have never heard of the coinage ‘Ziaism’…those who oppose the BNP have discovered the term. I would like to clearly say that those who want to discover Ziaism do not have good intentions,” the BNP leader said.
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He said BNP neither glorified Ziaur Rahman as a great human being, nor placed his statues on the streets, nor hung his posters in prominent places, despite being in power thrice.
The BNP leader said they kept Ziaur Rahman within the framework of party politics, discussing his activities and ideals.
Khosru also claimed that even when BNP was in power three times at the state level, they never exploited Ziaur Rahman’s name and reputation for political gains.
He said there are few leaders in the world who can be compared to Ziaur Rahman in terms of contributions to the Liberation War, nation-building, and state reform. “BNP was born for reforms. BNP has been reforming the state since its inception. BNP has implemented 90 percent of the reforms that have taken place in Bangladesh,” Khosru said.
Six years ago, he said, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia presented Vision-2030, outlining various reforms, including limiting the tenure of any individual as Prime Minister to two terms, introducing a bicameral parliament, and ensuring a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister.
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“We developed these reform proposals with the post-Hasina era in mind. Yet, those who are now talking about reforms are essentially lecturing us with our own words,” the BNP leader observed.
He said the interim government, led by Dr Muhammad Yunus, was established with the support of the entire nation and all political parties.
The BNP leader said they would continue to support the current government as it will ensure the peaceful transition of power to the next elected government. “This is the only purpose we’re all supporting and cooperating with this interim government. There is no other agenda beyond this.”
He said those who run the government should keep this in mind before making any decisions or statements, as it would help prevent any problems from arising.
The BNP leader, however, said, “If there is any plan to achieve anything beyond democracy regarding the restoration of the people’s ownership of Bangladesh and the transfer of power through elections, that probably will not be good. We’ll continue our support for bringing back democracy. But, if you want to do anything beyond that, the support is not going to last long.”
The BNP Standing Committee member said a strong national unity is needed if Bangladesh is to emerge from the crisis it is currently facing. “We have to pull the nation out of the ditch it has fallen into with united efforts, upholding our unity.”