Zakir Hossain From Dhaka
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that efforts are being made in Bangladesh to criminalise the democratic demand for national elections. “Political parties will naturally demand elections. It is a democratic norm. We have been noticing a very tactful attempt to create an environment where demanding an election appears to be a crime,” he said on Friday, while virtually addressing the anniversary programme of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party.
Tarique, widely seen as the next prime ministerial candidate, added, “Disparaging comments about national elections only bring joy to fugitive autocrats. Conversely, they insult democratic citizens.” He called on the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government to announce a clear roadmap for elections. “Political parties must be brought before the people’s court, and the initiative must come from the interim government. A parliamentary government formed by the people’s votes is the key to protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty.”
He warned that ignoring political parties and public opinion risks depoliticisation and undermines democracy. While all political parties support reforms, he questioned the delay in implementation. “If all ongoing reforms undermine the demand for elections, then what is their significance? This is a question many people are asking today.”
Tarique also targeted a “fugitive autocrat” who, he said, violated the constitution and formed three illegal parliamentary governments. “Democratic citizens want to know what steps the interim government has taken to make such politics irrelevant. There is no way to evade responsibility through a blame game,” he said. He warned that if the interim government fails, a future elected government would hold constitutional violators accountable.
Criticising calls for local government polls before national elections, Tarique said, “With hundreds of crores in looted money, accomplices of the fugitive autocrat are waiting to be rehabilitated. A local election would be a golden opportunity for that. I urge those advocating for it to reconsider.”