People won't accept inefficiency in governance: Tarique Rahman

People of the country will not accept it easily if they see inefficiency in government management, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said today (16 November).

"The interim government has taken over a devastated country after the fallen dictatorship. It is not possible to clean the mess left behind by the Awami League government in just three months. However, it is not unusual or unfair for people to raise questions about the success or failure of the government after three months," he said while speaking virtually as chief guest at the third council session of the Nationalist Textile Engineers Association of Bangladesh (JTEB) at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).

Tarique highlighted the challenges of rebuilding after years of mismanagement under what he described as a "mafia government."

"If priorities are misplaced in the efforts for reforms, it will be considered as the government's inefficiency by the people," he said. 

Referring to a recent incident where people injured in the July Revolution were discharged without adequate care, he added, "The question may arise why rehabilitation, treatment, and safety of the injured were not higher on the priority list."  

He also criticised the AL regime for creating a dependency on imports, loans, and external influences. "The country must be freed from such reliance and enriched by any means."

The BNP is planning to make the garment sector more globally competitive and boost foreign investment in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), emphasising inclusivity, he said. 

He also said political instability leads to economic challenges, stating, "The megaprojects presented during the previous regime are now revealing their true costs."  

Tarique Rahman iterated BNP's commitment to its 31-point development charter, calling it a roadmap for the nation's future. 

Emphasising quality and practical education, he said, "We [BNP] believe population is not a curse. And if this population can be converted into human resources then it is a great strength for the country's development."

Acknowledging the interim government's initiative to reform the Election Commission, he said, "The people expect a fair and transparent voting environment to have the opportunity to elect their representatives. Once the government establishes trust in its commitment to protecting voting rights, the relationship with the people will strengthen."  

"Our goal is to improve living conditions, education, employment opportunities, healthcare, and security. In the past, the BNP always worked to achieve these whenever entrusted with the people's vote," he said.  

Other prominent BNP leaders, including Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, Vice Chairman Joynal Abedin, and Adviser Abdus Salam, also addressed the event, which saw the election of Fakhrul Alam as JTEB President and AKM Ruhul Amin Akand as general secretary through a secret ballot.

Also at the event, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said completing electoral reforms swiftly and organising an election at the earliest will serve the people's welfare.

"Reforms in the Election Commission, laws, and judiciary are essential to facilitate a fair election."