Decision on humanitarian corridor must come from elected parliament, says Tarique

"The pro-democracy people believe it is not logical to continue supporting the interim government indefinitely," the BNP acting chairman says

Referring to the interim government’s “in-principle decision" to provide a humanitarian corridor for UN aid to reach Myanmar's Rakhine state, BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman says the decision must come from parliament elected by people through the general election.

Demanding a clear roadmap for the parliamentary election, he said the "pro-democracy people" do not believe it is "logical" to continue supporting the interim government indefinitely.

He spoke virtually from London as the chief guest at a May Day rally organised by the BNP's labour affiliate Jatiotabadi Shramik Dal, or Nationalist Labour Party, outside the party's central office in Naya Paltan on Thursday.

About the interim administration’s decision on the humanitarian aid corridor to Rakhine, he said: “The government did not inform people when it decided on such a sensitive issue related to the country's independence and sovereignty. They felt no need for discussion even with the political parties representing the people."

He said, "I don't want to debate whether the interim government can or should take such a decision without informing the country’s people.

"But the freedom-loving people of the country believe the decision to allow or disallow the corridor should come from the people and the national parliament directly elected by them through voting. In such a situation, this is the rule and custom in all democratic countries around the world."

Clarifying the BNP's stance that the interim government must ensure the interests of the country's people first instead of the foreigners, Tarique said: “Not Myanmar, India, Pakistan or any other country, Bangladesh is first. This should be our only goal."

DEMAND TO ANNOUNCE A CLEAR ELECTION ROADMAP

Tarique said, "BNP believes both reform and election are necessary. My call on the interim government is to be a little careful.

“A part of the interim administration aims to provoke hostility in a planned manner among the anti-fascist political parties by setting up reform and election cards... Such a belief is beginning to be instilled in the minds of the pro-democracy people."

He continued, "Our appeal to them (interim government)... is to formulate short and long-term reform proposals. No political party will object to it.

“But at the same time, prepare the law-enforcing agency, judiciary and Election Commission by completing the necessary reforms. Specifically announce the outline of the next general election.”

“If the roadmap in the interim government’s action plan is clear to democratic people, their doubts and concerns will be removed,” he added.

‘UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT CANNOT BE INDEFINITE’

Tarique said, "BNP and other democratic political parties are providing unconditional support to the interim government to establish a pro-people and accountable government in a fascist-free Bangladesh. However, the pro-democracy people believe it is not logical to continue supporting the interim regime for an indefinite period."

"It is very important to establish a government accountable to the people so that fugitive tyrants do not get a chance to rise again. The mantra of being fascist or autocratic is not written in the country’s Constitution or law. Instead, fascism is born out of disobedience to the Constitution and the law."

"The journey of fascism begins when an individual or a group considers itself as the only indispensable thing... imposing its own decision on people."

"For this reason, it is necessary to have a representative directly elected by people through the election, an elected national parliament and an accountable government so that the latent desire in the mind of any person or group to prolong power without the vote does not entice the state and the interim government to fascism."

The BNP acting chairman also reminded everyone that the caretaker government or the interim government formed under special circumstances is not and cannot be an alternative to the government directly elected by the people, even if it is not ‘illegal’."

The rally was held at 2pm under the initiative taken by the BNP's labour affiliate Jatiotabadi Shramik Dal, or Nationalist Labour Party.

Thousands of leaders and supporters of the labour group attended the rally, stretching from Fakirapool to Kakrail intersection as voices shouting “May Day is calling, down with discrimination” filled the air.

Thousands of labourers from factories in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Tangail, Manikganj and Munshiganj participated in the rally.