BNP leader warns of constitutional crises
Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has raised concerns over what he describes as deliberate attempts to create constitutional crises in the country.
At a discussion held on Sunday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Agargaon, Dhaka, Ahmed urged the public to stay vigilant, warning that “fallen fascist forces” could exploit such crises for their own gain.
The event, titled “exchange of views with family members of victims killed in protesting against the misrule of Awami League,” was organized by the Dhaka North unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, with leaders from other political parties also in attendance.
Addressing the audience as a special guest, Ahmed claimed, “Many attempts are being made to create different types of constitutional crises in the country right now. If there is a constitutional, state, or political crisis, we need to analyze the forces behind it and its possible outcomes.”
Ahmed emphasized the importance of staying alert to ensure that the efforts and sacrifices of past movements are not co-opted by those who may exploit any instability for their own interests. “We must ensure no state crisis occurs, no constitutional crisis arises, and that fascist or fallen fascist collaborators cannot exploit any constitutional crisis for their own gain,” he added.
Turning his attention to the Awami League’s governance, which he described as oppressive and authoritarian, Ahmed questioned whether the Awami League, accused of human rights abuses and political violence, should continue to operate in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
“We do not advocate banning any political party by administrative decree or based on individual preferences,” he explained. “The court and the people of the country should make that determination.”
Ahmed argued that if the public decides against the Awami League, the party must respect the people’s decision. His comments echo BNP’s longstanding stance that any judgment regarding a party’s eligibility to function in the political domain should be derived through a fair judicial process and public consensus.
Ahmed further criticized the Awami League’s historical legacy, associating it with authoritarianism and violence. Referring to the party’s previous adoption of the BAKSAL one-party system, he said, “Their ‘legacy’ involves enforcing a one-party rule under BAKSAL, fostering an environment of violence, terrorism, anarchy, and engaging in widespread election manipulation.”
He specifically referenced the events of October 28, 2006, when Awami League supporters allegedly used ‘Logi-Boitha’ (poles and sticks) to attack opposition members and protestors, leading to a significant escalation of violence in the streets.
Ahmed condemned this as a dark day in the nation’s political history and urged the public to mobilize “mass resistance” against any such incidents in the future.
In his closing remarks, Ahmed reiterated the BNP’s commitment to a democratic process where the people and judiciary are the ultimate arbiters of any party’s right to political engagement.
He maintained that while the BNP does not advocate for outright bans on political entities, it expects all political parties, including the Awami League, to respect the legal and democratic channels through which the nation’s future is shaped.