Warning that extremists and fascists could again bury democracy in Bangladesh, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said his party, along with other democratic parties, will prioritise maintaining the country’s secular character and strengthening democracy.
“We would like to draw the attention of the interim government that if it fails to control the evil activities of religious extremists and their radicalism, extremist groups and defeated fascist forces will once again bury democracy in the country,” he told at an iftar party via videoconference.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. If that were to happen, Bangladesh could have an image crisis, Tarique said while addressing the iftar party at the Ladies Club organised to honour political leaders.
“To uphold the country’s secular character, the democratic forces will pursue a political settlement that strengthens Bangladesh’s democratic system. This includes bringing the fleeing mafia clique, responsible for massacres, to justice at any cost, while resolutely opposing extremism and religious fundamentalism,” said Tarique.
Tarique also urged the government to provide the public with a clear understanding of its action plan to maintain confidence among people. “If the outline of the interim government’s activities or action plan were made clearer and more specific to the people, all doubts and hesitations in their minds would be removed.”
The BNP leader said it is true that the Awami League government was not overthrown merely to arrange a national election. “But it is even truer that the mafia regime collapsed due to the failure to hold a fair election. So, there is no room to consider any election simply as a matter of whether a political party can come to power or not,” he said.
Tarique also expressed concern about some advisers of the government and even one or two political parties speaking in a slightly different tone regarding the next election.
“We believe that if secondary issues are prioritised under the guise of a new political settlement, instead of honouring public expectations, it will send the wrong message to the people. Such a situation will ultimately pave the way for the resurgence of fugitive mafia regime associates.”
Tarique expressed the public expectation that the interim government will give the highest priority to elections, paving the way for the formation of a “democratic government”.
He reiterated that if BNP is entrusted with the responsibility of governing the country in the upcoming national elections, the party will form a national government, consisting of representatives from pro-democratic political parties and elected public representatives.
Tarique expressed concern over the alarming increase in incidents of violence against women, children, and rape.
Noting that women make up half of the country’s population, he said that without ensuring their safety, it is impossible to move the country forward.
“There is a need to deeply consider whether the security of our mothers, sisters, and daughters is in danger due to the government, administration, and law enforcement agencies being overly focused on creating new political settlements or any other tasks,” the BNP leader said.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said although the country has been freed from fascism, democracy is still elusive. “A democratic Bangladesh remains the main aspiration of the people.”
Emphasising the need for unity, he said that it is crucial to resolve issues relating to reforms through dialogue.
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam urged political parties to reach a political consensus so that there would be no room for “Mujibbadi” politics in the election and politics of future Bangladesh.
He said there are political parties to make the next election inclusive. “We believe that we bear the spirit of the struggle and the mass uprising that took place against Mujibbad [Mujibism],” he said.
Nahid hoped that a political unity would be there.
Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said he on behalf of his party requested all to forge a national unity on four points — the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh, a sustainable democracy, a fair election and a corruption-free Bangladesh.