BNP calls for dialogue on polls roadmap

State reforms should be done by public reps

FE REPORT | Published: August 24, 2024 23:10:34

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has suggested that the interim government arrange a constructive dialogue with political parties and hold a general election at a logical time.
"We've confidence in the interim government that it will hold polls within a logical time," he told a discussion marking the 9th death anniversary of former prime minister Kazi Zafar Ahmad at the National Press Club on Saturday.
The Bhashani Anusari Parishad (Bhasani Followers Council) hosted the event.
"We have a lot of expectations from the Dr Yunus-led administration. We want a roadmap from the interim government about holding polls and reforms," said Mr Fakhrul.
"Agenda-based dialogue between the interim government and political parties are yet to be held," he continued.
"Fascist Sheikh Hasina has fled the country. Some of her collaborators have also fled and some have gone into hiding."
"Let us consolidate the victory and the revolution. We must be alert against any counter-revolution," stated Mr Fakhrul.
About state reforms, the BNP leader said the reforms should be done through parliament by elected public representatives. "I don't believe that a few people could carry out reforms."
"We don't want to see the collaborators who committed corruption, looted public money and helped the overthrown autocrat Sheikh Hasina for torturing the people," he continued.
"We also don't want to see the bureaucrats who collaborated with the fascist Hasina government. We want to see pro-people bureaucrats in the administration. We want to see appointment of vice-chancellors who are competent and have the credibility."
Citing BNP's struggle for restoration of democracy in the last 15 years, he said, "A total of 800 BNP men became the victims of enforced disappearances, 2,000 were shot death and 145,000 cases filed against 6.0-million party leaders, activists and followers."
"We have new hopes and aspirations as our students and people made a revolution by ousting the fascist regime," maintained Mr Fakhrul.
Nagorik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the countrymen could not exercise their volition over the last 15 years, suggesting cuts in immense power of prime minister with a provision of check and balance.
Jatiya Party (Zafar) president Mostofa Jamal Haider and Prof Mahbub Ullah of Dhaka University, among others, were also present.
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