People will not give legitimacy to anyone without election, BNP’s Amir Khosru says

“Due to the absence of an elected government, no one is ensuring fair wages, salaries, and job security for workers,” he says

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said the people will not give legitimacy to anyone without national elections and labelled all who stand against national polls as “beneficiaries” of an unelected government.

At a May Day rally organised by the Jatiotabadi Shramik Dal, or Nationalist Labour Party, in Chattogram on Thursday, he highlighted the importance of discussing issues in parliament and incorporating public views into the decision-making process.

After the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, 2024, the BNP has been demanding elections after completing reforms as part of the interim government's initiative for Bangladesh’s democratic transition.

Khosru said, “Those who were in the movement to restore the people's voting rights are now taking a stand against elections.

“They are misleading the people because they know that if there is a fair election, their political position will be ruined.”

He said, “The people of Bangladesh will not give legitimacy to anyone to take power without an election.”

The BNP Standing Committee member commented that the interests of workers are being neglected during the current government.

He also highlighted that the 31-point programme given by the BNP to reform the state structure promises fair rights for workers, social security, and long-term welfare measures for their families.

The former commerce minister said, “There is no elected government right now. No one is taking the responsibility of ensuring fair wages, salaries, and job security for the workers.

“They [workers] are being oppressed in multiple ways due to the monopoly of the owners and the administration.”

Referring to the government's “in-principle decision” to provide a “humanitarian corridor” in Rakhine, the BNP leader said: “If there was an elected government, this national security-related issue would have been discussed in parliament, and the people's opinions would have been considered.

“However, the nation does not know who is making such decisions now.

“A UN representative has said this corridor is possible only with the consent of Bangladesh and Myanmar, and that too with the approval of the Security Council. How do these outsiders act so boldly?” he questioned.