Amidst calls to ban the Awami League and Jatiya Party, BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday stated that it is ultimately up to people to determine whom to accept or reject, through a transparent national election. Speaking at a discussion, he expressed that restoring democracy will serve as a form of retribution for those who have undermined it. “We have been asked to clarify BNP's stance on banning the Awami League and Jatiya Party. Why should the BNP need to clarify its position on this issue?” Gayeshwar questioned. He added that both the people of Bangladesh and the BNP desire the interim government to quickly hold the national election. “People will decide who should be rejected and who should be accepted through the election. So, any imprudent decision will not bring welfare or peace to the country,” he stated. BNP delegation set visit China at Chinese Communist Party’s invitation The Swadhinata Forum, a pro-BNP platform, organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club to commemorate National Revolution and Solidarity Day on November 7. Gayeshwar, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said that the term ‘reform’ became stigmatised during the 1/11 political changeover due to ulterior motives. He said that while there is widespread support for necessary state reforms, attempts to consolidate power by banning a political party or promoting depoliticisation will not serve the nation’s interests. BNP announces 10-day prog to observe ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ “Those who deserve banning have, in effect, banned themselves and departed from the country; now there is no one to raise their banner or slogans,” he asserted. The BNP leader said political parties should not engage in retribution against each other. “We are fighting for democracy, and the restoration of democracy is the means of taking that revenge on (the Awami League).” He also mentioned that Sheikh Hasina had to leave the country due to her long history of disregarding the law. “After her downfall, how could she abide by the law? If she were not afraid of the law, she would not have left the country; she would have stayed in jail.”

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday (April 01, 2024) said student politics on the university campuses is not the problem, the concern is over the control of a single student organision on the campuses.  “Buet authorities will take decision whether they will allow student politics on the campus or not. Because of that (Abrar Fahad killing) the Buet authorities had banned student politics on the campus, they will see whether such situation is still continuing or not and take decision accordingly,” he said. He said these while talking to reports after visiting injured BNP Natore district unit’s join convener Dewan Shahin at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Dewan Shahin recently got seriously injured in an attack allegedly by some Awami League men. Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member,  said the situation at Jahangirnagar University is worse where Bangladesh Chhatra League secretary Manik had celebrated ‘rape century’. “It was stigma for the nation. But  AL considers this shame as ornaments.” Read more: Student politics could be returning to Buet, VC indicates They are behaving recklessly with the support of the administration, he alleged. He said ruling Awami Legue (AL) is staying in power unleashing atrocities and by using muscle power against oppositions. In the last 15 years Natore BNP leaders have been facing inhuman torture by AL men. “Despite oppression the leaders and activists did not leave BNP. The scenario of torture on BNP men across the Bangladesh is same to Natore,” he said. Terming AL as an isolated political party, Gayeshwar said without terrorist activities they (AL) could not survive in politics. Read more: BCL no longer hiding its intention to rule BUET campus “In this situation we have to raise our voice and get ready to give reply to their brutality,”he said. Responding to a question from reporters, the BNP leader said the government is waiting to hear the death news of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. “I guess sweetmeat will be distributed at Gano Bhaban once they hear her death news.” “We have nothing to expect from this government. But what they are doing with the BNP Chairperson will be considered as a planned murder,” he said. Read more: Following legal reversal of ban, general students and BCL respond with differing visions for Buet’s future

“We must wage another war for the restoration of democracy in this month of victory with courage. We've to take a vow that we’ll either restore democracy or die in this war,” he said. Speaking at a doa-mahfil, the BNP leader said, "Don’t we've  the responsibility for repaying the blood debt of the martyrs of the Liberation War?" If so, why should we back off from the