Staff Reporter :
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman emphasised the urgent need for swift state reforms, stating on Sunday that the public deserves clarity on the interim government’s intentions, timeline, and required duration for implementing these changes.
“People have the right to know the interim government’s plans and how much time it will take to reform the state,” he said during a virtual address to a discussion.
Tarique Rahman highlighted that announcing a clear roadmap and future action plan would not only enhance transparency but also ensure accountability to the people, thereby accelerating the administration’s activities.
He added that any unease or hesitation from advisers regarding the interim government’s roadmap would contradict public aspirations. “The more transparent the government is in its actions, the greater the public support it will garner,” he remarked.
The BNP organized the discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, to commemorate Great Victory Day, with the nation poised to celebrate the 54th anniversary of victory on Monday. Festivities will include tributes to the martyrs and freedom fighters of the Liberation War.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticized the Awami League, accusing it of destroying the Liberation War’s vision through misrule, repression, dismantling democracy, and depriving citizens of their rights.
He credited BNP founder Ziaur Rahman as the pioneer of reforms in Bangladesh, introducing multiparty democracy and a free-market economy. Fakhrul noted Zia’s contributions to reforms in agriculture, education, and industry, which strengthened the country’s economy.
Fakhrul also highlighted BNP’s reform initiatives under Khaleda Zia’s leadership and pointed out the party’s earlier introduction of a 31-point proposal for state reform, emphasizing its forward-thinking approach.
“It’s disheartening that we are now being lectured about reforms when we have long been at the forefront of advocating them,” he said.
He stressed the need for a fair and acceptable election to facilitate the implementation of the 31-point reform agenda.
BNP Standing Committee members AZM Zahid Hossain, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Nazrul Islam Khan, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, and Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain also spoke at the event.
