BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed strong optimism that Bangladesh’s political and other crises will ease and everything will return to order once the national election is held.
In an exclusive interview with TBS, the second part of which aired today (7 September), Fakhrul, referring to other parties and unresolved issues, said, “Let them come in the parliament.”
When parties join parliament, differences can be resolved through dialogue and debate, he added.
When asked whether he thinks the real problem with Bangladesh’s democracy is the absence of regular, free and fair elections, the BNP leader replied, “Definitely.”
On alleged attempts to derail the election, Fakhrul, without naming any party or person in particular, said some have threatened that unless their conditions are met, the election will not be allowed to take place.
“If parties continue making such threats even now, it only means they are creating obstacles. As for the issues being raised, they can very well be discussed and resolved in the next parliament.”
Regarding the Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party, and whether any seats will be shared with them, he said no such talks have taken place with them, adding that his party currently has no alliance.
Fakhrul said if the BNP wins the election, it plans to form a national government with parties that participated alongside it in the recent democratic movement.
He said BNP chief Khaleda Zia will be the party’s prime ministerial candidate if she remains healthy; otherwise, acting chairman Tarique Rahman will take the role.
Fakhrul acknowledged that the path to the upcoming election is far from smooth due to years of mismanagement under the Awami League.
However, with the interim government’s efforts and cooperation among political parties, the process is underway, he added.
He expressed confidence that the election will be widely accepted, citing a neutral and competent Election Commission and the government’s impartial work.
TBS Multimedia today released the second of a three-part interview with Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The third instalment will explore what a BNP government might look like. Stay tuned to The Business Standard’s website and multimedia platforms.