From PM to UP member will be made accountable

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said that the party’s primary objective is to ensure accountability in Bangladesh, where everyone — from the prime minister to union parishad members — will be accountable to people for their actions.

“We want to create an atmosphere of accountability in the country. As a political party, this is our main objective… Everyone, from the prime minister to union parishad members, upazila chairman, ministers, MPs, and all other levels, must be accountable to people” he said while virtually addressing a workshop in Faridpur.

He also said everyone at all levels in government and semi-government offices and institutions should be held accountable for their actions.

“We must ensure accountability everywhere. It’s not something that cannot be achieved overnight, but it is possible… If you think about your family, it thrives because of accountability,” he said.

The workshop, titled “31-Point State Structure Reform Proposal and Public Engagement,” was organised by the BNP Training Affairs Committee at the Faridpur Sadar Upazila Complex.

Tarique said corruption, anarchy, breakdowns in law and order, and other misdeeds occurred during the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina due to a complete lack of accountability.

He said the Awami League arranged one-sided elections repeatedly, while its leaders and workers indulged in widespread looting and siphoning off vast amounts of money abroad. All these were possible because there was no accountability to the people.

“So, we aim to address corruption, establish the rule of law, and strengthen the healthcare sector for a better future of the people. We also want to create an environment where students can access quality education in the country. As a political activist, I believe much can be achieved if accountability is established,” the BNP leader said.

He said a free and fair election is essential to restore accountability, reclaim people’s lost rights, and implement BNP’s 31-point proposal for gradually building a new Bangladesh. “It’s only natural that a party like the BNP would call for a fair election. To make this happen, everyone has to play their part.”

The BNP leader recalled how people from all walks of life united to force the autocratic Awami League regime to “flee the country”. “Similarly, we must all unite to establish our rights.”

“If we want to achieve our goals, I need cooperation from all leaders and workers. The first condition for this cooperation is maintaining people’s confidence. To do that, we must act, speak, and behave according to the will of the people,” he said.

The BNP leader acknowledged that some party leaders and activists might be making mistakes. However, he said, this cannot go on. “We must stay alert and warn them. In some cases, we must take strict action.”

Tarique said people’s confidence is the most precious asset of any political party, its leaders, and its activists. “We will lose everything if we lose people’s confidence. So, let’s pledge to preserve it. If we sit idle at home thinking BNP has already earned people’s trust, that confidence will gradually erode.”

Tarique called upon his party colleagues to correct themselves first to gain and retain people’s confidence and fight against extortion, corruption and immoral activities.

“Correct yourselves first and then tell others to amend themselves. Otherwise, there’s no point in talking big about eliminating immoral activities and extortion,” he said.

He said their party is taking organisational actions against party men engaged in such activities. He said the party is even taking extreme measures such as filing written complaints to the administration against the culprits who have broken laws defying party directives.

He said their party wants stability in Bangladesh as soon as possible to address the existing problems properly.