Abu Jakir :
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has emphasised the importance of unity within Bangladesh’s political landscape, urging his party leaders to refrain from engaging in unnecessary debates with the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus.
Speaking on Saturday at the National Teachers’ Day and Teachers’ Convention held at the Engineers Institution in Dhaka, Rahman warned that such disputes could inadvertently bolster the political standing of the Awami League, which he described as a “fascist force.”
“I believe that misunderstandings or unnecessary debates on any matter between the democratic forces (BNP) and the interim government will be a hilarious waste of time,” Rahman said.
He called for collaboration between democratic entities to uphold the interests of the nation, stressing that unity is vital for political and economic empowerment.
Earlier in the week, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in an exclusive interview with BBC Bangla, questioned the neutrality of the interim government. He stated that the interim government would fail to conduct free and fair elections if it could not maintain impartiality.
Reacting to Alamgir’s remarks, Nahid Islam, the Information Adviser
to the interim government, commented on the tensions between the BNP and anti-discrimination student movements concerning the elections.
“The tone of the BNP’s remarks about the interim government seems to align with that of the Awami League,” she observed, hinting at an unusual convergence in rhetoric.
Tarique Rahman emphasised the necessity of avoiding controversies that could derail the electoral process. “The BNP believes in politics for the people, not politics that uses people as tools.
Therefore, we want to ensure the political and economic empowerment of the people of this country at any cost.
Elections are one of the primary tools of political empowerment,” he remarked. He cautioned that disputing the electoral process could inadvertently strengthen the position of “defeated and fugitive fascists.”
While acknowledging the limitations of the interim government, Rahman called for collective support to ensure its success in governance. “Despite the limitations of the interim government, they must not be allowed to fail.
The government has taken responsibility for governing the country with the commitment to establish a democratic, humane, and equitable Bangladesh through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs,” he added.
Highlighting the growing political engagement among the youth, Rahman described it as a positive development.
“The youth of the country are showing interest in state politics, which is undoubtedly a positive sign. These young people have not had the opportunity to vote in any election for the past one and a half decades.
If any of these young people, deprived of democratic political rights, form new political parties to establish people’s rights, the BNP will welcome such initiatives,” he said.
However, Rahman warned against forming political alliances with state or administrative support, describing such actions as disappointing to the public. He also cautioned against vindictive behaviour or statements directed at other political parties.
Rahman addressed the failures of the interim government in controlling market syndicates and reducing economic burdens on the people. “The people believe that a universally accepted non-partisan interim government can easily free them from the clutches of market syndicates.
Then the question arises: why has the government failed to control the market despite all this time? Why are additional VAT burdens being imposed on people? Why is the market syndicate’s dominance continuing?” he questioned.
He urged the interim government to focus on addressing these critical issues and ensuring that their governance reflects the principles of neutrality and effectiveness.
Rahman reiterated the BNP’s commitment to systemic reforms. “For the proper functioning of a democratic state, it is crucial for politics to be ethical and transparent.
Instead of placing anything above or outside politics to keep it clean, we need to refine and purify politics itself,” he said.
To achieve this goal, the BNP has unveiled a 31-point reform programme in consultation with various political parties. Rahman pledged that if the BNP gains the people’s mandate and forms the government, these reforms would be implemented gradually.
At the convention, BNP Standing Committee Member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy remarked on the continued challenges faced by opposition leaders. “Sheikh Hasina has fled, but you and I remain the same.
We still have to go to court and attend hearings. We haven’t escaped this yet. Therefore, if we have to move through a movement to achieve an election, we will not despair,” he said.
The event, presided over by teacher leader Principal Selim Bhuiyan, also featured speeches by Citizen Unity President Mahmudur Rahman Manna and BNP leaders Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Abdul Moyeen Khan, and Selima Rahman.
The convention concluded with a call for unity and a renewed commitment to democratic principles.
