National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and Opposition Chief Whip in parliament Nahid Islam has warned ruling party BNP that it risks provoking another mass uprising if it continues to obstruct reform and follow what he called the 'autocratic path' of the ousted Awami League, reports UNB.
He made the comments while addressing a national rally for July uprising martyrs' families and veterans, organised by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Saturday, Nahid said BNP has been blocking meaningful reform at every turn since the mass uprising.
Jamaat organised the rally to press for implementation of the July Charter in line with a public referendum mandate.
"After the mass uprising, BNP has obstructed reform at every step. When they eventually joined the Consensus Commission, they registered notes of dissent on every major reform proposal," he said.
Accusing the BNP of backtracking on its earlier commitment to a referendum, Nahid stated that the party had initially consented to a public vote but had since begun to retreat from that position following the election.
He further said the very party whose existence was rooted in a referendum now disowns the idea after the mass uprising, arguing that, in doing so, the BNP is effectively undermining the very foundation of its own legitimacy.
He cautioned that BNP's attempt to re-partisan state institutions mirrored Awami League's methods. "If BNP tries to take this country down the old autocratic road, the people of Bangladesh will rise again. The youth will rise again. The students and citizens who took part in the mass uprising will be compelled to return to the streets."
Turning to issues of governance, Nahid alleged that the government was attempting to placate public discontent through initiatives such as family cards and farmer cards, while simultaneously denying the existence of a deepening energy crisis, deteriorating law and order, and mounting economic challenges.
He further claimed that ministers in parliament continued to insist there was no fuel crisis, even as the country was, in reality, facing acute fuel shortages.
Nahid further alleged that the BNP had become unpopular within just two months of assuming office. "I am not aware of any government in Bangladesh's history that has become so unpopular in such a short span of time," he remarked, while emphasising that his party did not seek instability.
"Our sole demand is the implementation of the July Charter in accordance with the referendum, along with due recognition of the July mass uprising and the families of the martyrs. We are present both on the streets and in parliament, and we will realise this demand together," he added.
The rally was also addressed by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmad, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, and other senior leaders of the 11-party alliance.
