Tarique warns against political volatility, urges election participation

Speaking virtually at a discussion, he also said it is up to the interim government to decide whether it will implement the aspirations of any particular political party or prioritise holding the February election to establish a government accountable to the people of the country.

“As preparations are underway to establish a government accountable to the people through their direct votes and to restore citizens’ rights, we have observed that a few political parties seem to be positioning themselves against the restoration of the political rights of democracy-loving people, taking advantage of the weaknesses of the interim government,” he said.

Tarique said many of BNP’s allies from the anti-fascist street movement are expressing doubts about the February election next year.

“I would like to draw the attention of our allies present here today that, instead of issuing threats to the interim government, let us face the people in the upcoming February election. Let us all come forward and stand before the people,” he said.

BNP arranged the discussion at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre to mark the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’, commemorating the civil-military uprising on November 7, 1975, which marked 50 years.

Senior leaders of different political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, addressed the programme and stressed the need to maintain unity among the anti-fascist political parties to ensure the restoration of democracy through the next national election, removing differences of opinion among them.

Tarique Rahman warned that if any political party, seeing the interim government as weak, tries to get whatever it wants or uses tricks to deny the BNP a victory, such actions could ultimately lead to political disaster for that party.

“I urge our allies on the streets --and anyone trying to muddy the waters--please do not try to make the situation volatile,” he said.

The BNP leader said the international community has made it clear that without an elected government, they will not release funds.

He said at this critical juncture--when the economy is struggling, unemployment is rising, and everything seems to be falling apart--some political parties are setting various conditions.

“Some of those who once stood with us on the streets are now trying to obstruct the national election by attaching various preconditions. Creating complications over holding the election essentially means either trying to seize control of the state machinery without participating in the election or paving the way for the return of a fallen, defeated, and fugitive dictator,” Tarique said.

He said associates of the runaway autocrat recently carried out arson attacks even in the capital. “This should serve as a warning for all forces that once fought against fascism.”

In the past, the BNP leader said, some leaders of a party took shelter under the fascist umbrella to save themselves from repression as part of their political strategy.

“In today’s changed circumstances, it seems the fallen and defeated autocrats are now trying to find refuge under the umbrella of that very party which once stood against fascism. It is time for everyone to take a hard look and think seriously about this situation,” he said.

Tarique also expressed concern that a party may be trying to create scope for the rehabilitation of fallen, fugitive forces into politics under the guise of a referendum before the national election. “I call upon all democracy-loving people of the country to remain vigilant against such moves.”

He said the people do not expect complete success from a short-term interim government in all areas, and it is not the interim government’s primary responsibility to fulfil every demand of the people.

“The interim government has set the schedule for the national election in February. Now the government has to decide whether it will fulfil the aspirations of a particular political party or prioritise the February election to establish a government that is accountable to the democracy-loving people of the country,” the BNP leader said.

He said the BNP has remained fully committed to maintaining unity in the anti-fascist alliance.

“If we review the Consensus Commission’s discussions, it will be seen that the BNP has presented a positive stance on most points. Our position is very clear: the commitments made in the July Charter, which we signed, will be fully upheld by the BNP, and we remain strongly committed to fulfilling them,” Tarique said.

He said over 1,500 people were martyred during the July–August movement, and students, the general public, women and men, farmers, and workers took to the streets.

“The people took to the streets to assert their rights in the state and in politics. As a political activist, I believe that surely the people did not sacrifice their lives to create an opportunity for a particular political party or group to establish its rights or to engage in political bargaining,” the BNP leader said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the politics of reconciliation initiated by Zia is now much needed in Bangladesh.

He said an unnecessary crisis has been created with the motive to obstruct the election, which is necessary for reforms and the restoration of democracy, and to prevent uncertainty over the people’s future.

The BNP leader urged all political parties to work together to resist any plots and ensure the restoration of democracy under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed recounted how BNP founder Ziaur Rahman came to politics and initiated various reforms to develop the country as a true patriot.

“Ziaur Rahman was fully devoted to Bangladesh and worked only for the country and its people. He began reforms but could not complete them. I urge Tarique Rahman to continue from where your father and mother left off. We will provide our support,” he said.

Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Jatiya Party (Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider, Gonoforum President Subrata Chowdhury, NPP Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad, Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, AB Party Chairman Mojubur Rahman Monju, and Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan, educationist Prof Mahbub Ullah, among others, addressed the programme.

BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Hafizuddin Ahmed, and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain also addressed the programme, reports UNB.