Interim govt must not fail: Tarique

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman today (17 September) said the current interim government must not be allowed to fail and Bangladesh will embark on an election roadmap through reform programmes.

"Some activities of this government may not be considered a success by all. But we all have to remember that the failure of this government is the failure of all of us and the failure of the pro-democracy people of Bangladesh. So, this interim government can in no way be allowed to fail," Tarique said while virtually addressing BNP's Nayapaltan rally in Dhaka as the chief guest.

The BNP leader, however, said the current government itself must also be careful that it does not fail.

Tarique said, "The reform programmes need to be carried forward keeping in mind the goal of establishing an accountable government, and a parliament formed by representatives elected by the people."

He stressed that without political empowerment and direct involvement of the people in the reform process, no democracy or reform is sustainable and effective.

"Political empowerment of the people can only be ensured by establishing the right of voters to elect their desired representatives through a free, fair and impartial election," Tarique said.

"The interim government has already undertaken reforms in several areas. However, the BNP feels that if the interim government fails to set priorities in terms of agenda setting, conspiratorial circles may take various opportunities to disrupt the success of the mass uprising," he added.

Tarique also said the interim government is working to restore order in the country following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's fascist and despotic regime.

He added that although Hasina fled the country, the beneficiaries and evil forces are still challenging the interim government from within the administration or under the guise of politics.

"The people will not allow the government to fail amid various provocations from home and abroad," Tarique said.

He said the current interim government is the outcome of the supreme sacrifice of thousands of martyrs and the mass uprising of millions of people.

The BNP acting chairman urged his party men to earn the trust and affection of the people through their work.

"Change in power means a qualitative change in state and politics. Therefore, every political leader and activist needs to remember that for qualitative change in politics, qualitative change in the behaviour of political party leaders and activists is also necessary," Tarique said.

"I would like to say that the country will be on the electoral roadmap along the path of reforms. So, let us all earn the trust and love of the people through work. We should stand by the people and keep them with us," he added.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who presided over the rally, said many ghosts from the country's fascist past are currently in the interim government, conspiring to thwart the victory achieved by the recent student-led mass uprising. 

"In return for the sacrifice of the students, we got an opportunity to establish democracy. Let's not throw it away," he said.

BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas said his party is eager for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to return to the country so that she can be tried for the 17 years of oppression inflicted on the partymen.

"She [Hasina] claims she will swiftly return to the country. We also want her to come back, so we can hold her accountable for 17 years of arrests and persecution of our partymen," the BNP leader said.

Abbas said, "We have repeatedly said we will give the [interim] government a reasonable timeframe to hold an election, but that does not mean we will allow them an unlimited period."

The party's Joint Secretary General Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel criticised Hasina for ignoring the party's repeated calls to establish a caretaker government.

"Hasina chose to ignore our calls and listened to foreign powers instead. If she had listened to us, she wouldn't have had to flee like this," he said.

The BNP leader mocked the idea that Hasina might quickly return to Bangladesh, saying, "Let her come!...And where is Obaidul Quader? He said he wouldn't flee."

Sohel also criticised the Awami League leadership, accusing them of abandoning their partymen. "The leader has fled, leaving behind all his people. It's a classic case of 'save yourself'."

He further accused Hasina of being a murderer, claiming she was responsible for the killing of many, including children, citing the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident and the 2009 BDR mutiny, where 57 military officers were killed.

He referred to her as a "serial killer" and warned those who harbour her, saying, "Listen carefully, if Dhaka is not at peace, neither will Delhi be."

Also speaking at the rally, the BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, "…The quota reform movement secured students' rights, but the people's right to vote has still not been established.

"Therefore, we urged the government to transfer power to the people's government through an immediate election."

BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moin Khan said, "The students and the public have granted this interim government the authority to reform the country and restore it from autocracy.

"However, it's important to remember that the people have been struggling for democracy for the past 17 years."

Scores of BNP leaders and activists were gathered at Nayapaltan to commemorate "victims of political repression" and in observance of International Democracy Day. The rally began at 2:30pm. However, people started to gather in the area with small rallies from 12:30pm.

Small pockets of rallies held by the BNP and its associate bodies were also seen in different parts of the capital including Nayapaltan, Kakrail, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Bijoynagar, Fakirapool, and Arambagh areas, resulting in some gridlock.

Traffic has come to a standstill on both sides of the VIP road. The BNP activists were seen holding the party flag and national flags, banners, and festoons in their hands.

Not only in Dhaka, people also held rallies in different cities in the country since morning.