Nahid calls for president's arrest, says resignation not enough
The NCP chief also called for the election of a neutral president and said the government had failed to bring meaningful change despite last year's mass uprising.
Highlights:
- Nahid says president should be arrested, not just resign
- Calls for election of a neutral, guardian-like president
- Claims promised reforms have failed to materialise
- Says NCP's eight MPs are "playing the role of a hundred"
- Demands action over arson attack on July memorial in Jamalpur
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Md Nahid Islam has called for the arrest of the president, saying resignation alone would not be sufficient, while urging the election of a qualified, neutral and guardian-like successor.
Speaking as the chief guest at the party's "July March" and street rally in Jamalpur Sadar today (23 July), Nahid said the president should face legal action alongside stepping down from office.
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The programme was organised to press home the NCP's five-point demand, including implementation of the referendum mandate and strengthening border security.
Referring to calls for the president's resignation, Nahid criticised the BNP, saying it had failed to replace what he described as "the Awami League's president" even after five months.
"Resignation alone will not be enough, he must be arrested. A qualified, neutral and guardian-like person must be elected president," he said.
Nahid alleged that the goals of last year's mass uprising had not been realised.
"We wanted change through the mass uprising. But no change has taken place in the country. Drug trade has not stopped, extortion has not stopped, partisanisation has not stopped, and land grabbing has not stopped either," he said.
Criticising the government, he claimed that citizens continued to face injustice because of political influence over state institutions.
"Where will you go if your land is grabbed? If the media, police and courts are all partisanised, you will not get justice anywhere. This is not a government of change. If you want change and reforms to be implemented, NCP must be brought to power," he said.
Nahid also said the NCP currently has only eight members in parliament but claimed they were "playing the role of a hundred people" on behalf of the public. He added that the party could have played a much stronger role had it been the main opposition in parliament.
Referring to the July mass uprising, Nahid said students had led the movement while people from all walks of life stood behind them.
He also condemned the recent arson attack on the July memorial in Jamalpur and demanded accountability.
"We want to know from the police administration how many people have been arrested over this incident. If fascists carry out violence, the government and the police administration will have to take responsibility for it," he said.
