United News of Bangladesh

Stating that the national election can be held between August and October, BNP senior leader Amir Khosru  Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday alleged that the government is focusing on everything except their main task of arranging the national election.  “Why aren't they (govt) doing the work they need to do? They need to immediately declare an election roadmap, give themselves time for that, and focus entirely on the election,” he said. Talking to reporters at a city hotel, the BNP leader also said the government is doing everything except working on the election. “Who has given them the responsibility to do everything? That is the question.” He said it may take a week, a day, or even a few hours for the government to announce reforms on which the political parties have reached consensus. Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, said the government can resolve the reform issue based on the agreement among the political parties and then immediately declare the election roadmap. “So, there is no reason to wait until December for the election. The election could be held within the next three to four months, or from August to October,” he observed. BNP seeks quick restoration of democracy through credible election: Moyeen Khan The BNP leader said the responsibility of the interim government is to hold a fair election, hand over power to the elected government, and restore democratic order and the people’s ownership of the country. Instead of holding the election, he said, the interim government is rushing in other directions and taking major political decisions such as providing a human corridor and handing over the management of Chattogram port to foreigners, pushing the country towards danger. “It is not their responsibility to decide on these matters. It will be decided by the elected government in consultation with political forces. These arranged political decisions, but why are they making these decisions and wasting time? What do they want to demonstrate? Khosru said. He said the country’s people did not give the interim government any mandate to take major and political decisions. The BNP leader said the government must make visible signs of arranging the national election. Khosru said the people of Bangladesh had made huge sacrifices for the election, the restoration of democracy, and their ownership of the country. “It can’t go in vain in any way.” The BNP leader said the government had held an investment summit and was undertaking many other activities beyond its duties. “It is a transitional government in an interim situation. This is a stop-gap government whose main responsibility is to organise an election and peacefully hand over power to an elected government… There is no scope to delay the polls.” He also expressed dissatisfaction over the non-implementation of a court order regarding the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. “When court orders are not followed, isn’t the rule of law breached?” Khosru said different people are constantly taking on various responsibilities despite having no connection with people. “They are imported, and they will not understand the problems of the people. Who are they? Who has given them the responsibility to determine in which direction Bangladesh will head in the future? The people of Bangladesh will make this decision through a democratic process.” He also said that reform must be carried out through a democratic process instead of implementing any particular quarter’s agenda. “The reform will be done as per the people’s wishes and, based on that the future of Bangladesh will be shaped.” The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh want to regain their ownership of the country through an elected government and parliament. Bangladesh is now in an uncertain situation, and no one knows in which direction it is moving forward. He said the people of Bangladesh ousted a fascist and autocratic regime to restore a democratic system. “There’s still no visible sign that the country is moving towards a democratic order.” “There is a fear among everyone as to whether Bangladesh will go through a democratic process at all—whether the people of the country will regain their ownership of the country, whether they will get their elected parliament and government,” the BNP leader said. He said all the discussions and activities are taking place as if an elected government is running the country. “But there are no efforts towards the election. We cannot see any indication of Bangladesh heading towards a democratic process.” Khosru said the more the election is delayed, the more the country is being pushed towards uncertainty and danger, leaving the people of the country and its foreign friends in indecision. He said all future elections must be held through a fair democratic process. “This should become a routine.”  

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday said some recent incidents, including former President Abdul Hamid's departure from the country, are increasingly raising doubts among people about the interim government's ability to fulfil its responsibilities. “If we observe recent developments, doubts are gradually growing among various sections of people and professionals for various reasons about the interim government's ability to carry out its duties,” he said while virtually exchanging greetings with members of the Christian community. The BNP leader, however, said their party has still continued to cooperate with and support the current interim government in every aspect with the aim of establishing a representative government accountable to people through public mandate. Bangladesh Christian Forum organised the programme, marking the Easter Reunion at an auditorium in the capital’s Farmgate Khamarbari area. Tarique expressed sorrow, mentioning that RAB members abducted Dhaka city unit BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon in December 2013, leaving him disappeared. “We still have not received any information about the whereabouts of our colleague. During the time of autocratic rule, it was not just Suman, but countless others across Dhaka and the entire country were abducted, tortured and murdered,” he said. Decision to ban Awami League lies with govt, EC, not us: Moyeen Khan The BNP leader noted that Sumon's sister, Sanjida Islam Tuli, founded a social organisation in 2014 called Maayer Daak(Call of Mother), bringing together the families of those who disappeared during the autocratic rule. “This is a matter of great concern and astonishment that the police administration raided Sumon’s sister’s house last evening in an attempt to arrest him," he said. Tarique said the police later claimed they were unaware of Sumon’s disappearance. "For the sake of argument, let’s assume they were unaware of Sumon’s case. But a former president, who served during the autocratic regime, was able to leave the country through the airport yesterday (early Thursday)," he said. The BNP leader said former president Abdul Hamid fled the country in a manner almost similar to that of Sheikh Hasina, who escaped on 5 August of the previous year. Tarique said the interim government is now claiming to have known nothing about Hamid’s departure. "Since yesterday, I have spoken to many people, and each one is questioning what the interim government truly knows." At the same time, he said, allegations are emerging that the interim government is wasting time under the guise of reform, possibly to create opportunities for the fleeing autocrats and their associates to leave the country safely. “On the other hand, it may be trying to create grounds to subtly sow division within the unity of anti-autocratic or anti-fascist political parties through various issues. These issues are repeatedly raising questions in the minds of the people,” Tarique said. Tarique reaffirmed his party's position in favour of timely reform of the Constitution by keeping intact the principles of equality, human dignity, and social justice enshrined in the Constitution achieved through the Liberation War. He said the BNP has presented its clear proposal on constitutional reform to the interim government. The BNP leader also underscored the need for establishing democracy and the rule of law for the safety of the people and even the country’s independence and sovereignty. "A country that can ensure the safety of its citizens is one where democracy and the rule of law are guaranteed. One of the key preconditions for ensuring democracy and the rule of law in the country is the establishment of a parliament and government that are accountable to the people, elected directly by the people. If the elected government is made accountable to the people, democracy and the rule of law will be sustainable, as is the case in the most democratic countries,” he said. Stating that people of all religions and communities fought together for Bangladesh’s independence, Tarique said, "This country does not belong to any individual or party. This country belongs to all of us and all the people.” He also called upon all to remain united, as there is now a tremendous opportunity to build a just, democratic nation free from discrimination following the fall of fascism. Tarique congratulated Pope Leo XIII on his election as the Roman Catholic leader, saying, "Let us all hope that, in this war-torn and conflict-ridden world, he (the Pope) will spread messages of peace and comfort among the people." Speaking at the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said every religion teaches people to be good human beings and to maintain harmony. “Indeed, there should be no divisions based on religion. For us, religion is about teaching us to be good people. We must foster unity in society by avoiding conflict over religion. Every religion advocates unity and love,” he said. The BNP leader observed that Christianity is working towards uniting people worldwide and strives to create a world of love. Tarique Rahman's wife Dr Zubaida is set to get back her job as govt physician Fakhrul also highlighted that people from all religions fought with the spirit of brotherhood and unity in 1971 to liberate the country. “We must remain vigilant to preserve that spirit and sense of unity, ensuring that no force can divide us,” he said. He emphasised that BNP does not believe in the concept of majority and minority, as they view all citizens as Bangladeshis, with that being their true identity. Noting that the country is currently facing a critical period, Fakhrul said they, together with other political parties, have been fighting for the last 15 years with the sole aim of establishing a democratic social system where everyone has equal rights and the right to elect their representatives through their votes. “We must build a new, democratic Bangladesh with unity and love,” he said.

Expressing the hope that the interim government will act in line with people's aspirations, BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday they do not think it is necessary to launch a movement against Dr Yunus’ administration to compel it to hold the election by December. “We don’t think we have to do anything like that (waging a movement) because we have placed this government in power with the expectation that it will play a role in establishing democracy in the country and will act according to the people's aspirations,” he said. Nazrul, also a BNP Standing Committee Member, made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after a meeting with the 12-party alliance, one of the components that carried out a simultaneous movement with BNP against the Sheikh Hasina regime. ADEUF places five-point demand to ensure neutral admin structure “We don’t think there is a need to initiate a movement against this government. We believe the government will work according to the wishes of the people. We are expressing our opinions and hope that the government will listen and act accordingly,” he said. Nazrul, however, said a final decision regarding their next course of action will be made after discussions with all other parties and alliances that had taken to the streets against the fascist Awami League government. The BNP leader said the Chief Adviser, during a meeting with BNP leaders on 10 February, had clearly stated that the national election would be held by December this year. “They (interim govt) have now said the election will be held between December and June. They also said this does not mean it will not be held in December. It can still be held in December,” he explained. Nazrul said they told the Chief Adviser during their meeting on Wednesday to announce a clear roadmap, confirming that the election would be held in December this year. In light of the situation, he said they have begun meetings with the parties and alliances that were part of the movement against the Awami League government, to inform them about the outcome of their meeting and work out the next steps. Earlier on Wednesday, a seven-member BNP delegation led by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus at the state house Jamuna to press for a specific roadmap to hold the national election by December this year. Following the meeting, Fakhrul expressed dissatisfaction, as Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus reiterated that the national election would be held between December and June, without providing any specific roadmap. When asked about the BNP’s strategy following the disappointing meeting with the Chief Adviser, Fakhrul said the party would decide its next steps after holding internal discussions and consultations with its like-minded allies.

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday alleged that the interim government echoes the rhetoric of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina when they talk about elections and reforms. Speaking at an Iftar gathering organised in honour of journalists at a club in Chattogram city, he demanded the restoration of voting rights and the announcement of an election date without delay. “The only way to ensure the people’s freedom is through a fair election, but under the guise of reforms, the process is being prolonged,” Khosru said. Govt creating confusion over national election, alleges Rizvi He said that previous authoritarian governments deprived people of fair elections by promoting the narratives of development and the current government is following the same path. Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Convener Ershad Ullah, former Member Secretary Abul Hashem Bakkar, and senior journalists Jahidul Karim Kochi, Moazzemul Haque, Jasim Chowdhury Sabuj, Saleh Noman, Riaz Haider Chowdhury, and Saiful Islam Shilpi, among many others, attended the event.