Many are 'trying to sabotage’ the election, says Mirza Abbas

“Let the government say no elections—let’s see if it dares,” he says

Although optimistic about the general elections being called, BNP leader Mirza Abbas has said “many are trying to sabotage the elections”.

At a BNP workshop on Saturday, he said: “Many people ask me if the elections will take place.

“As a political leader, I am optimistic the elections will be held. But as a common man, I think many are trying to sabotage the elections.

“We have repeatedly said when the elections are held, we have to be on the field.

“If people vote for us, we will form the government. If they don't, we will accept their choice.”

He urged the interim government to hold the general elections as soon as possible.

Criticising the government over reforms as well as the delay in holding elections, the BNP standing committee member said many people get ‘sick’ when they hear about elections.

As part of the interim government's state structure reform initiatives, the BNP has been demanding national elections after completing the necessary reforms.

On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party, or NCP, are in favour of elections after completing the reforms.

The government said if only a few reforms are made, parliamentary elections will be held by December this year, but if all reforms are completed, they will take place by June next year.

‘TOO MANY TALK ABOUT REFORMS’

Mirza Abbas said, “This government keeps talking about reforms, but I haven't seen any. I don't know if you've noticed either.

Pointing to a poster, he added: “It lists the Administrative Reform Commission’s 11 points—proposed by our leader Tarique Rahman two and a half years ago.

“Now, the government is acting on them.

“If it had started working on our 31 points earlier, it wouldn’t be struggling with reforms now.”

In 2022, the BNP proposed 31 points for state structure reform.

Highlighting that, he said: “Two and a half years ago, Tarique Rahman and his colleagues formulated these 31 points, which took a long time.

“Sixty-two political parties shared their opinions, and by incorporating them, we included what is needed for the people of Bangladesh.”

‘SOME GET SICK HEARING ABOUT ELECTIONS’

Mirza Abbas said, “Those leading the reform efforts are knowledgeable and respected, but they have no connection with the people or the land.

“How can they suddenly understand what the people want or feel? They cannot comprehend the 17 years of protests and suffering we've endured.

“Stop wasting time on reforms and hold elections as soon as possible.”

The BNP leader also said, “Many of our brothers, especially those in Dhaka who talk a lot on YouTube, seem to get sick at the mention of elections.

“Some political parties fear elections because they’ve never held them.”

He explained the demand for early elections, saying: “Elections bring stability and reduce unrest.”

“I don’t want to be harsh, but we’ve spent 17 years in jail, 5,000 people lost their lives, 30,000 were disabled, all for the right to hold elections.

“This government cannot survive without elections. Let them claim they don't need elections—let’s see if they have the courage,” he added.