Staff Reporter :
The BNP on Saturday further reiterated that there is no alternative to establishing an elected parliament and government for restoring people’s ownership of the country and fulfilling their aspirations.
“It is high time to restore people’s ownership of Bangladesh. This means fully ensuring their right to vote so that they can elect a parliament and government that will be accountable to them. There’s no alternative to this,” said BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury while addressing the sixth national council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.
The BNP leader said a monster like Hasina was created as she never required votes and usurped power through one-sided elections time and again.
Khosru said Hasina snatched people’s voting rights, violated human rights and undermined the rule of law. He said dictator Hasina was removed through a national unity. “We must maintain that unity to achieve our goal of restoring people’s ownership of Bangladesh.”
He insisted that there has been a significant shift in people’s mindset with new thoughts and aspirations for future of Bangladesh.
Khosru said the nation must move forward to realise the people’s desires by maintaining unity. “If politicians fail to understand the nation’s needs and changes in mindset, then politics will have no future,” he warned.
He also said there should be no division among political parties on fundamental issues like democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the economic emancipation of the people.
The BNP leader acknowledged that there may have differences of opinion among political parties, but they must respect each other to fulfill people’s desires through healthy political practices.
He also said the only way to restore democratic order in the country is holding credible, neutral, and inclusive elections through promptly carrying out electoral reforms.
Khosru alleged that Sheikh Hasina has destroyed the country’s institutions and political structure, which must be reformed.
He mentioned that his party led by Khaleda Zia first presented reform proposals six years ago by unveiling the Vision-2030. Later, the BNP leader said that their party, together with other democratic parties, put forward a 31-point proposal for state reforms.
“These aren’t just BNP proposals as those were formulated with other parties who’re in our simultaneous movement. Reform isn’t new to us. We need to implement the 31-point reform and form a national government after the elections. We’re committed to this.”
The BNP leader said there are no differences of opinion on the need for electoral reforms to ensure credible and acceptable national polls.