Elected MPs will decide what changes are needed: Fakhrul says calling for fair election
"One can't help but wonder when those in charge of the interim government say ‘parties need to be formed’. “Who gave them this right, who gave the permission, and where did they get this responsibility? How can we or the people think that they are performing their duties impartially,” said Fakhrul
No reforms or changes are possible without the participation of the people, which requires a parliament, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam said today (16 September).
"Those who are elected at the parliament will decide what changes are needed, whether the Constitution will need to be reformed or repealed," he said, noting that a fair election is needed to that end.
The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled "Bicameral Parliament: Composition of Upper House" organised by the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Fakhrul said in the last 16 years, the Awami League government destroyed all democratic institutions of the country.
He alleged that conspiracies were already being hatched to lay waste to the victory of the student-led mass movement.
"The misleading speech given to the media by educated individuals, who are relevant in the society, baffles me. One can't help but wonder when those in charge of the interim government say 'parties need to be formed'.
"Who gave them this right, who gave the permission, and where did they get this responsibility? How can we or the people think that they are performing their duties impartially," said Fakhrul.
Claiming that a certain group is trying their best to make sure this interim government stays in power for a long time, the senior BNP leader said, "Then, there is no need for an election or the parliament."
Referring to media reports based on a recent survey by BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), he said, "A newspaper wrote that 80% of the people want this government to remain in power for as long as they like. I don't know where they [newspaper] got this from. The people won't accept it. [Media] should be careful in making such reports to ensure that no confusion is created."
Speaking on the occasion, he also called on the interim government to withdraw all false cases filed against BNP men and provide compensation to the families of those killed or injured in the recent violence centring the movement.
"Those who opposed the movement and supported the dictatorial government, we still see them in that administration. They have not been removed. We demand they be removed," said the BNP secretary general.
