People lost voting rights for India’s interference: BNP

Staff Reporter :
The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Monday alleged that the people of Bangladesh have lost ‘democracy’ and ‘right to vote’ due to India’s undue interference in determining the future and political course of the country.

The party leaders, however, said that the government would have to face the consequences if it does not follow the path of democracy.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and its Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up this during talking with journalists in two separate programmes in the capital on Monday.

“The 7 January parliamentary election was widely criticised as unfair across global media. Despite the widespread condemnation, the government seems oblivious to the fact that their legitimacy is fragile and could collapse like a house of cards,” Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said while speaking at a discussion at the Dhaka Reporters Unity.

He urged the government to come to the path of democracy and arrange participatory elections. Otherwise, the consequences will not be good, he warned.

The ruling party’s rhetoric about the constitution is deceptive, he further said, adding that true development resonates with the people and cannot be overshadowed by mere words.

Claiming that Awami League does not work for the people, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said, “They have established a one-party government.”

“In deepening India’s relationship with the Awami League and India’s unwarranted interference in determining the future and political course of Bangladesh, the people of Bangladesh have lost their democracy, freedom of speech, and right to vote,” Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said at a press conference at the party’s Naya Paltan central office.