‘Efforts on to criminalise call for polls’

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said that attempts are underway to create an atmosphere where demanding a national election seems like a crime.

Urging the interim government to clearly announce a roadmap for the polls, he said that doubts are growing among the public over why the government is taking so much time on reforms.

The BNP leader said that those who believe in democracy now want to know what steps the government has taken to make the fugitive autocrat's politics irrelevant in the future.

Tarique added that if local government elections are held first, it could create a scope for autocrats and their allies to rehabilitate.

"Political parties will naturally demand elections. It is a normal democratic practice, but we have noticed in recent days an attempt to create an atmosphere in the country where demanding an election seems like a crime," said Tarique.

He made the remarks while virtually addressing a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 5th founding anniversary of Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party.

Derogatory comments about the national election only please the fugitive dictator and insult democracy-loving people, he added.

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"If a parliament and the government accountable to people are formed through the people's vote, the country's independence and sovereignty will remain strong.

"Although every political party supports reforms, questions are slowly growing in the people's mind about why the interim government is wasting so much time on reforms."

He added that if de-politicisation is encouraged by ignoring political parties and the people's verdict, it will ultimately put democracy at risk.

"But if political parties' demand for elections is ignored for the sake of ongoing reforms, then what is the significance of reforms? This is a question many people are asking today."

Tarique said that an ousted and fugitive autocrat who violated the constitution is trying to raise its ugly head again.

"But by violating the constitution, this fugitive autocrat illegally formed governments three times. The democratic people of Bangladesh now want to know what steps the interim government has taken or will take to make those accused of constitutional violations irrelevant in politics in the future.

"There is no way to evade responsibility through a blame game."

Tarique said that if this government fails to take action, he firmly believes that an elected government will ensure legal measures against those accused of violating the constitution.

He said, "Without taking action against the fugitive autocrat, those who have spoken for local government polls before the national election should know this -- I want to tell them that the accomplices of the fugitive autocrat will get the scope of rehabilitation.

"A local government election would be a golden opportunity for the fugitive autocrat to be rehabilitated. Perhaps those who have advocated for it have not considered this aspect. I urge them to reconsider it."

In another development, Sramik Dal, the BNP's labour wing, on Thursday held a large rally in front of the party's Nayapaltan central office to mark May Day.

Speaking as the chief guest, Tarique said, "... if the roadmap in the interim government's action plan is clear to the democracy-loving public, their doubts and suspicions will be dispelled.

"Our call to the interim government is to be cautious. A section of the interim government appears to be systematically trying to create a division among anti-fascist political parties by pitting reforms against elections…."

Opposing the government's move to provide a "humanitarian passage" for Myanmar's Rakhine state, the acting BNP chairman said only an elected parliament can make such a sensitive decision.

"The freedom-loving people of the country believe that the decision on whether to grant a corridor must come from the people themselves, specifically, through their directly elected parliament.

"Our position is clear: the interim government must prioritise the interests of the people of Bangladesh above everything -- not act to safeguard the interests of foreign powers."

Addressing the gathering, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "I would like to ask the government: please do not sign any agreements, ignoring political parties and the people, that go against the interests of Bangladesh."

In a Facebook post last night, Tarique said, "On this World Press Freedom Day, let us unite to champion the independence of the press and the protection of journalists who report on the truth, with ethical integrity.

"Journalists serve as a vital pillar of democracy; their work must be protected and embraced, not attacked or censored. Yet in Bangladesh, we witnessed the systematic erosion of press freedom under state-sponsored repression by the recently deposed authoritarian regime.

"Let us set aside all differences to build a Bangladesh where elected, accountable governments ensure the freedom of expression, human rights, and the rule of law for all, including that of the press."