Tarique to return when all legal issues resolved: Fakhrul after London trip

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh when all legal issues end, the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam said today (12 December). 

"You [journalists] know there are many vindictive false cases against him…He will return if they are withdrawn or resolved in courts," the BNP leader told reporters at the Dhaka airport after returning from his London trip.

Replying to questions about what message he has brought from Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul said the acting BNP chief has called on the people to have patience.

"Our acting chairman has urged you [people] to remain patient. We must all act with unity and patience to restore democracy, ensuring that the great victory achieved through the student-led mass movement becomes truly fruitful and meaningful," he said.

Fakhrul said Tarique also urged all to focus on preparing for the next election, describing it as the first crucial step towards the restoration of democracy.

He mentioned that it is a misconception that the BNP is prioritising election over reforming the state. "The BNP had proposed reforming the state two years back. Elections need to be held after essential reforms."

Responding to a question from a journalist on the recent remarks by Information Adviser Nahid Islam that accused the political parties of trying to prove that the interim government has failed, Fakhrul said the adviser's comment is "anti-political".

"Political parties have cooperated with the government and are doing so," he said.

Fakhrul said his London trip had been successful as he got to meet the BNP acting chairman. "Besides, I have spoken to expatriate Bangladeshis and BNP leaders…I have joined their meetings."

Rizvi slams Nahid's remark

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, meanwhile, criticised Adviser Nahid's remarks.

"I think he should not have made such a remark. He didn't say the right thing. It may create a rift in national unity," he said at a press conference today.

He added that it is the main responsibility of the interim government to hold a free, fair, and inclusive election within a short time, considering the desires and emotions of the people.

"But if any contradictory or questionable statements come from their [government's] side, it'll harm national unity," the BNP leader observed.

He said the government can benefit from the criticism made by political parties and professional bodies.

Rizvi also said it is significant that democratic political parties have set an example of unity amid both local and international conspiracies. "You [the government] must take this into consideration."

He said the government should not ignore the political parties' demand for arranging the next national election after completing the necessary reforms.

On Wednesday, Information Adviser Nahid Islam reportedly said political parties are prioritising the election over reforms.

During a meeting at the Secretariat with a delegation from British Global Partners Governance, the adviser also mentioned that political parties are "attempting to make the interim government fail".