BNP seeks election allowing people to choose their govt: Tarique

Highlights 

• BNP wants a credible election for accountable governance
• BNP's 31-point plan aims to fix key national issues
•  No compromise on free and timely elections
• Leaders faced repression for democracy
• Urges BNP members to resist misinformation

BNP is expecting a credible national election in Bangladesh through which people will decide who should look after them for the next five years, the party's acting chairperson Tarique Rahman said today (30 January). 

Speaking virtually at four workshops, he also said that the problems of the country and its people cannot be resolved without a proper election system and elected representatives who are accountable to the public.

BNP's Kushtia, Magura, Chuadanga and Meherpur district units organised the programme separately to train the party leaders and workers on the party's 31-point state overhauling proposals.

"We'll be able to resolve the people's problems if we give power to those who are truly responsible and accountable. The individuals who will be elected by the people through a proper election process will be accountable to them. So, we're expecting an election that will determine who will take care of the people," Tarique said.

He also said the election should be held in a free, fair and credible manner, ensuring that people can freely exercise their right to vote peacefully, without any obstacles.

The BNP leader said it is a positive development that discussions on state reforms are now taking place, from the Chief Adviser to ordinary people. "But at the end of the day, people would want to know what has been done to create employment, reduce commodity prices, and address the problems in the education, health, and agricultural sectors. We must concentrate on these issues."

The BNP leader said that they have various plans and programmes, and they will implement the state reform proposals as per their commitment to the people.

At the same time, he said that they must fulfil the people's demands, hopes and aspirations, and address their problems.

Citing his learning and experience from staying in the UK for a long time, Tarique said, "We won't be able to properly resolve the problems of the people and the country if we fail to ensure accountability by building the election system. Whether it is a national election, a local election, or an institutional election, we must build the overall electoral system across the country."

He said elections must be held at all levels within a specific timeframe under any circumstances. "There is no alternative to this. We must ensure this system. There should be no compromise with the election."

The BNP leader said accountability will gradually be established in the country if the elections are held properly and on time.

Tarique said many leaders and workers of BNP were subjected to killing and enforced disappearance. "Almost all BNP leaders and workers were implicated in false and fictitious cases. We also endured immense suppression and repression over the last 15 years, all for the establishment of people's political rights and freedom of expression."

Stating that BNP is the largest political party, Tarique said the leaders and workers must play a greater role in resolving the people's basic problems and reforming the state.

"We must take a vow to prepare ourselves to implement the promises through the 31-point reform outline we gave to the people. We must stand by the people by implementing the 31-point proposal," he said.

Tarique also called upon the BNP leaders and workers to resist anyone who tries to misguide them or indulge in unfair activities to isolate them from the people.

He said their party had worked out the 30-point proposals in consultation with other democratic political parties even before the fall of the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina as they recognised the necessity for state reforms.

Tarique said the reports from various reform commissions formed by the government largely contain proposals similar to those made by BNP in the 31-point outline, as they formulated the proposal with the country's and its people's interests in mind.