Interim govt betrays nation by scrapping notes of dissent

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused the interim government and the National Consensus Commission of betraying the country and its people, saying they have "deceived the nation."

There is no scope for holding a referendum before the upcoming national election, he also commented.

He made the remarks at a discussion meeting held at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday, marking the 53rd founding anniversary of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob).

Speaking about the July National Charter and its implementation proposals, Fakhrul said, "When the National Consensus Commission presented their recommendations to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, we noticed many differences. They had assured us that the notes of dissent would be mentioned clearly in the recommendations. We trusted them. But they betrayed that trust and deceived the people-- something we did not expect from them."

Fakhrul said BNP is a pro-reform political party. "Even though we had differences of opinion, we signed the July Charter. We submitted notes of dissent on issues we disagreed with. If we come to power through people's votes, we will implement those points. If the people don't vote for us, we won't," he explained.

He said in explanation that despite BNP's disagreements, it signed the main charter. The principle is simple-- if the party is elected by the people, it will bring those issues before Parliament and make necessary changes for the betterment of the country.

The BNP leader complained that some quarters were trying to portray BNP as anti-reform. "That's false," he said.

"BNP was born through reform. In 1979, President Ziaur Rahman replaced the one-party rule with a multiparty system."

Fakhrul also alleged that some groups were trying to delay the upcoming national election. "There is no scope to hold a referendum before the election," he stated again.

"The referendum will be held on the same day as the national election. There will be two ballots - one for the referendum and another for parliamentary seats."

Without naming any group, he urged those demanding a referendum not to confuse the public. "This party had opposed the Liberation War in 1971. Now, please don't oppose the election that people truly want," he said.

He also praised JSD President ASM Abdur Rob's political contributions, saying, "After independence, when the country was trapped under one-party rule, leaders like Abdur Rob helped rescue it."

He wished Rob a speedy recovery and announced that, if elected, BNP would form a national government with all political parties involved in the anti-fascist movement.

Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that the country was going through a deep crisis.

"The interim government is deceiving the people. If the future election-organising government also turns out to be fraudulent, what hope do we have?" he asked.

Manna said that the current situation did not allow holding a referendum before the election, and the only way forward is to hold the national polls soon.

Nurul Haque Nur, president of Gana Adhikar Parishad, alleged that some were using the referendum issue as a tool to influence parliamentary seats.

"If the election schedule is announced in December, with only a month left, how can another election (referendum) be held within that time?" he questioned.

JSD Vice President Tania Rob while chairing the programme said, "JSD was formed to protest injustice, and we still stand on that principle."

tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com