BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday said their party is willing to bring back the caretaker government system for elections to ensure the restoration of the people's voting rights.
“We want to reinstate the caretaker government system in the Constitution to restore the people's right to vote,” he said while exchanging views with the BNP grassroots leaders and activists of Khulna Division.
Stating that Bangladesh belongs to its citizens, the BNP leader said it is the people’s justified democratic right to elect their representatives through the independent exercise of their voting rights.
He said the BNP introduced the caretaker government system into the Constitution in 1996, replacing a partisan government, to safeguard the people's right to vote and ensure free and fair elections in the country.
“But in order to hang onto power, autocratic Hasina removed it from the constitution and deprived the people of voting rights in three national elections,” Tarique observed.
He said the BNP does politics with the aim of fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the common people of the country.
The BNP leader outlined the main objectives of their party’s politics as ensuring the security of the people, upholding freedom of speech, protecting the right to do business and trade peacefully, providing employment for youth, safeguarding the dignity and security of women, guaranteeing equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion, caste, or creed, whether they live in plains or hills, and establishing the rule of law throughout the country.
Tarique said the BNP's priorities also include ensuring a balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches, providing universal health facilities, ensuring fair prices for agricultural products, and, above all, protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty.
He said BNP has earned the trust and affection of the people through years of dedicated movement and struggle, despite enduring hardships and deprivation.
The BNP leader warned that their party will not tolerate any imprudent actions by a few wayward individuals within the party, regardless of who they are, that might undermine this trust and the expectations people have of BNP.
Tarique asked his party leaders to identify and resist those who dent the image of the party by not only expelling them from the party but also taking legal actions against them.
Citing the dedication of the party’s local leaders during the 1/11 political changeover, he reaffirmed his strong confidence in the commitment and resilience of the party’s grassroots leaders and workers.
“The grassroots members have been the main strength of BNP through all the crises. They have maintained the party’s unity, resisting numerous temptations and braving repressions,” the BNP Acting Chairman said.
He said the BNP will be able to handle any situation and find it much easier to operate if the grassroots members remain steadfastly with the party.
Tarique highlighted the key aspects of BNP's 31-point proposal for restructuring the state to meet public expectations and build a modern Bangladesh.
He urged his party members to convey the details of these proposals to all marginalized communities across the country.
Tarique urged BNP leaders and activists to remain vigilant and united in order to confront not only the visible rival Awami League but also the numerous invisible opponents they may face.
“The fall of the dictator is merely a preliminary victory. The real challenge lies ahead. You must earn back public support and affection for the party by successfully navigating future tests, overcoming complacency, and addressing all forms of laxity.”