BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday alleged that efforts are underway to delay the upcoming national election, suggesting that certain individuals both within and outside the interim government may have a hidden agenda linked to the reform process.
“It seems that dilly-dally over holding the next national election has already started or is underway. The future of the election has got trapped in a cycle of innovative conditions of so-called minimum reform and maximum reforms,” he said.
The BNP acting chairman said this while addressing a mammoth youth rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office in the capital through a virtual platform in the afternoon.
He said people have begun to believe that certain individuals, both within and outside the interim government, may have a hidden agenda behind the façade of stalling for time in the name of reform.
Election must be by December next: Tarique
Tarique Rahman said every caretaker government in the past had successfully conducted national elections within three months of assuming office.
“Bangladesh has records of holding national elections within three months by the caretaker governments. But today, even after ten months, the interim government is yet to announce the date for election,” he said.
He demanded that the next election be held without further delay, saying they want to see a people’s government soon—elected by direct vote, which would be accountable and responsible to the people in fascism-freed Bangladesh.
BNP vows reforms, justice after election: Senior leaders
Issuing a clear ultimatum, Tarique said, “Our call to the interim government -- the national election must be held by December.”
He urged BNP leaders and activists to begin preparation so that the national election takes place by December.
Defying Court Orders—Can They Reform?
Criticising the interim government, Tarique Rahman said the obstruction of Ishraque Hossain from assuming office as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation as a manifestation of an authoritarian mindset.
He said the fugitive autocrat (Hasina-led govt) used to defy the court and the court rulings. But the people of the country had expected that the government who came later would show respect to the laws, he added.
“By creating barriers to Ishraque Hossain’s assumption of office as Dhaka South’s mayor, without honouring a court ruling, we are witnessing a recurrence of the same autocratic act,” he said.
The BNP acting chairman asked people how much reform can be expected from those who undermine the court order and don’t show respect to the laws. “Through obstruction to Ishraque’s assumption of office or oath-taking, now we’re witnessing the manifestation of the authoritarian mindset,” he added.
Don’t Make Democratic Parties Rivals
Tarique asked the interim government not to take any step that would erode public trust and love as neutrality and credibility are its main capital. “We again urge the interim government—please do not turn democracy-loving people and pro-democracy parties into your opponents.”
BNP’s youth rally turns Nayapaltan into a sea of people
The BNP leader said if anyone among the government wishes to stay in power, the person should contest the next election.
“If anyone among you wishes to remain in power, then resign, go to the people, contest the election and if the people support you in that election, take the responsibility of governing the country,” he said.
Tarique Rahman highlighted his party’s plan to generate employment for youths, increase food production and turn the population as human resources, if it could come to power with public mandate in the election.
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swecchasebak Dal and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) jointly arranged the function presided over by Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna.
Tens of thousands of people joined the rally arranged for youths from Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Faridpur divisions, commemorating the martyrdom month of BNP founder and late president Ziaur Rahman.
BNP standing committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed, Swechasebak Dal President SM Jilani and JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib spoke at the rally.