Staff Reporter :
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday called upon the party men to remain vigilant and monitor closely whether certain groups-possibly with backing from segments of the interim government-are attempting to orchestrate a situation that could obstruct the upcoming national election.
He also urged the people of Bangladesh and all democratic political forces to stay alert on the issue.
Speaking virtually at a discussion, Tarique Rahman said rising concerns about the interim government’s ability to oversee a credible election should no longer be dismissed.
The event was organised by private university teachers and students at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka to honour the sacrifices made by private university communities and to commemorate the martyrs of the July-August 2024 mass uprising.
“If you pay attention to what is being said across social media and in various public forums, it becomes clear that there are fears of a premeditated attempt to destabilise the country, potentially aided by elements within the interim authority,” Tarique remarked.
Tarique pointed out that several recent shocking incidents have cast serious doubts among the public regarding the interim administration’s competence in handling such crises.
“Questions are increasingly being raised about whether the interim government is genuinely capable of holding a fair election. These are no longer just scattered opinions-they represent a growing concern,” he asserted.
He urged the public, political parties, and pro-democracy campaigners to remain alert and watchful to ensure that no effort is made to push the election beyond the promised timeline.
He also encouraged the interim government to act with greater transparency and courage in addressing the current situation.
“If you take bold and transparent steps, you will have the support of democratic forces and the trust of the people who believe in democratic values,” Tarique said.
Emphasising the importance of the upcoming election, he noted it would be a decisive moment for institutionalising democracy in Bangladesh.
“This election carries profound significance for the future of our nation.
We must all act with responsibility and vigilance to ensure that extremism or fascist tendencies do not find their way back into our politics due to emotional reactions or poor decisions,” he warned.
At the beginning of his remarks, Tarique paid tribute to the private university teachers and students who led the movement and said that the martyrs of 2024 will be remembered alongside the heroes of the 1971 Liberation War.
He said the BNP supported the quota reform movement from the outset but adopted a strategic stance to prevent the Awami League from branding it as a BNP-driven political movement.
“Rather than using state machinery or administrative power to pursue political agendas, political legitimacy must come from the people’s trust, votes, and confidence,” he stated.
Tarique also warned that any efforts toward reform will be meaningless unless the people are politically empowered.
Speaking directly to the youth, he stressed the importance of acquiring knowledge and scientific understanding to lead a modern state.
“A country built on the sacrifices of the martyrs of 1971 and 2024 cannot be achieved through mere slogans or outdated political tactics,” he said.
He added, “To build the state envisioned by the martyrs, we need a government that is directly elected by the people and accountable to them.
A genuinely free and fair election is the cornerstone of dismantling fascist structures and upholding democratic rights.”
The event commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran and the national anthem.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives in the mass uprising. Relatives of the deceased shared their grief and memories, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere at the event.
