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Published : 02 May 2025, 07:21 PM
Tarique Rahman has alleged that an atmosphere is being deliberately fostered in Bangladesh where demanding elections is portrayed as “a criminal act”.
Speaking virtually from London on Friday during the founding anniversary of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, the BNP’s acting chairman said: “As a political party committed to meaningful reform of state and politics, and to the empowerment of citizens, the BNP has always called for a directly-elected parliament, government, and representatives through public vote.”
“It is a normal democratic principle that political parties will call for elections.”
“But what we are witnessing in recent days is a carefully orchestrated atmosphere where even raising the issue of elections is being made to look like wrongdoing,” he added.
Tarique warned that “dismissive remarks” about parliamentary polls offer comfort only to “fugitive autocrats” while they “insult” pro-democracy citizens.
Referring to ongoing efforts to fix the political system, he posed a question.
“Reform efforts are under way to repair the state and politics. But if these reforms disregard political parties’ calls for elections, many are asking what the point of the reform even is.”
The BNP also questioned the delay in implementing the reforms.
He said: “All political parties in the country support reforms. Even then, the interim government’s delay in the reform process is raising more and more questions among the public.”
Tarique warned against excluding political forces from the process.
“If political parties are disregarded and the people’s mandate is ignored, it will only encourage depoliticisation—something that ultimately endangers democracy itself.”
‘GIVE A CLEAR ROADMAP FOR ELECTIONS’
The BNP’s acting chairman said, “Once again, through this event, I urge the interim government to declare a clear roadmap for the general election.”
“The interim government must take the initiative to bring political parties before the people’s court, " he added. “The country's independence and sovereignty will remain consolidated if an accountable parliament and government are formed through the people's votes."
Tarique expressed a firm belief that if people and political parties become accustomed to forming and changing governments through political engagement, no one would be able to keep Bangladesh a “subservient state” any longer.
The event was held at the National Press Club auditorium, marking the fifth founding anniversary of the AB Party.
Leaders from several political parties engaged in movements against the Awami League government were present.
Founded on May 2, 2020, the AB Party began its journey with the aim of establishing a welfare state based on the three principles of equality, human dignity, and social justice.
‘POLITICAL PARTIES SHARE A COMMON GOAL’
Tarique noted that since the fall of the “fascist” regime of the Awami League, at least 25 new political parties have emerged.
He welcomed their presence in the political arena.
The BNP leader said political parties in favour of democracy may differ in ideology, but expressed his belief that when it comes to national interests, every party that stands for Bangladesh will take “a united and consistent position”.
‘BLAME GAME CAN’T DEFLECT RESPONSIBILITY’
Tarique said the political party that lost its democratic character and established “fascist” rule while turning Bangladesh into a client state will never be accepted by the people.
“The ousted, disgraced, and fugitive autocrat who violated the Constitution is now attempting to re-emerge,” he added. “Article 65(2) of our Constitution clearly says members of parliament must be elected through direct votes by the people.
“But defying the constitution, this fugitive autocrat formed three illegal parliaments and governments without a single public vote.”
The BNP leader said the pro-democracy people of Bangladesh now want to know what actions the caretaker administration has taken or plans to take to make those accused of violating the Constitution politically irrelevant in future.
He warned that there is no room for avoiding responsibility by playing the blame game.
“If the interim government fails to take action, I firmly believe that a government elected by the people will, in the days ahead, certainly take legal steps against those accused of violating the Constitution,” he concluded.
