Govt betrays electoral commitments

Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam on Saturday accused the government of abandoning its democratic commitments after coming to power, alleging that those who once claimed to fight for democracy are now acting against it.

Speaking at the triennial conference of the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation at Suhrawardy Udyan, Nahid said the government had strayed from its pledges and undermined the spirit of the “new Bangladesh” within a month of assuming office.

“Those who spoke of fighting for democracy over the past 16 years have now taken a position against democracy after assuming power,” he said. He claimed the government had ignored the mandate reflected in the referendum and acted against the public interest.

Referring to the July 2024 uprising, Nahid said many of those who fought, were injured, or were killed came from working-class backgrounds. “Workers are the driving force of Bangladesh’s economy and have repeatedly led movements for national liberation. But it is unfortunate that a government formed on the blood of workers and students has forgotten that sacrifice within a month,” he said.

The NCP leader accused the government of failing to implement key reform promises made during the interim period, including those related to human rights, police reform, and judicial independence.

He warned that political parties that fail to keep their promises have historically faced consequences, adding that the current government would also have to “pay the price” for such failures.

Calling on workers to prepare for broader mobilisation, Nahid urged them to take the movement beyond parliament. “Not just in parliament, we must now prepare for movements on the streets.

Through mass movements, we will realise the aspirations of the July charter and the referendum, and compel the government to meet workers’ demands,” he said.