CA’S speech: BNP upset at the absence of polls roadmap

BNP has voiced disappointment over the chief adviser’s latest national address stating that it lacks an outline of a polls roadmap.

The party believes that parliamentary polls should be held soon as the interim government does not have the people’s mandate to govern.

Some BNP leaders have expressed concern that the government might attempt to extend its rule under the guise of reforms, citing potential complications or any evil plan.

In his national address on Sunday, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus called for patience from the people, and assured that a roadmap for the elections would be unveiled once electoral reforms were carried out.

Speaking at a programme at the Jatiya Press Club, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday expressed his dissatisfaction with the CA’s national address.

“Our chief adviser addressed the nation yesterday [Sunday] to mark 100 days of his government…. I am somewhat disappointed…we had hoped that with all his wisdom, the chief adviser would identify the problems and outline an election roadmap,” he said at a discussion marking the 48th birth anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.

“Why am I talking about the election time and again? It’s because half of our problems would be resolved once the polls are held, regardless of whether the BNP comes to power.”

Fakhrul said there should not be any distance between BNP and the students. “Students have the right to voice their opinions. We are growing older. We now assess which actions are feasible and which are not.

“That’s why we think holding elections soon would be good for the country and its people. The longer this type of government stays in power, the more problems will arise. Because it lacks the mandate [to govern]. Therefore, where does its strength come from?”

Fakhrul said his party wants the interim government to carry out reforms within a reasonable time.

“The interim government should not take such a long time for reforms so that misconception is created in people’s mind about its desire to cling to power. We had such experiences in the past.”

He said then caretaker government in 2007 had tried to form a so-called King’s Party, but in vain. “People rejected the move and they [high-ups of the government] soon fled the country.”

The BNP leader said his party had not blocked any recent reform initiatives by the government.

“If an election roadmap was declared, those trying to harm and destabilise the country would back off as the people would rally behind the government. We have to consider this.”

Speaking at another programme at the Jatiya Press Club, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi yesterday said the incumbent government might try to prolong its rule citing reforms.

“There seems to be some complication somewhere; why is he [chief adviser] talking about a long period of time? There seems to be some issue within the government, and this has raised concerns for us.

“People want to know why four years will be needed for the reforms and the elections,” he said.

Rizvi said that the chief adviser’s remarks during an interview with an international media outlet about taking four years to carry out reforms was a matter of concern.

Addressing the same event virtually as the chief guest, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman called upon the people to extend their hand to those affected in the July uprising.

Speaking at the wheelchair distribution programme, he said if BNP can form a government with people’s mandate, different institutions and establishments will be named after the martyrs of the uprising.

“I call upon all to come forward to help those affected in the mass uprising,” he said.

Amra BNP Poribar arranged the event to distribute wheelchairs among 10 people who were maimed during the uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government.