Political parties must take firm stance on AL: Shafiqul

Staff Reporter :

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Saturday urged all political parties to adopt a firm and unified position against the fallen fascist Awami League, describing its recent actions as an “existential threat” to the nation’s democratic future.

“It’s time for every political party to take a clear and decisive stance on Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League. Her recent remarks – labeling those who joined the July Uprising as terrorists – are deeply alarming,” Shafiqul said.

He made these remarks while speaking at a policy dialogue organized by TRACE Consulting on how political parties can leverage technology to better represent citizens’ aspirations in their election manifestos, held at Hotel InterContinental in the capital.

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, TRACE CEO Fuad M Khalid Hossain, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, and DUCSU Vice President Sadik Kayem were among those who addressed the event.

Criticizing Sheikh Hasina’s recent comments to international media, Shafiqul said, “Her rhetoric labeling the people of Bangladesh as terrorists poses a grave danger to our politics. Once you label citizens as terrorists, you mark them as expendable. Is she trying to reclaim power by portraying 180 million Bangladeshis as enemies?”

Quoting journalist Enayetullah Khan, he added, “Khan once wrote that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made 65 million collaborators. Now his daughter is calling 180 million people terrorists. It’s beyond imagination.”

Shafiqul warned that the country is facing an existential political crisis and urged all political forces to unite in defense of democracy.

Regarding the upcoming national election, he said, “The government is fully committed to holding the polls in the first half of February. There should be no uncertainty about this timeline.”

He also noted that ongoing debates surrounding governance and the July Charter are part of a healthy democratic process. “Across the world, constitutional debates often take years – even decades. Consensus cannot be forced overnight,” he said.

“If political parties fail to reach a conclusion, the Interim Government will exercise its mandate to ensure the election process proceeds without uncertainty,” he added.

The press secretary emphasized that Bangladesh currently faces a “fractured political environment” and requires a democratic settlement that includes all spectrums – right, left, and center.

“Without democratic trust, there can be no positive international perception, no foreign investment, and no employment growth,” he said.

The panel discussion was moderated by Professor Dr. Shahab Enam Khan of Jahangirnagar University’s International Relations Department. Diplomats, election experts, civil society representatives, and leaders from major political parties were present.