Awami League an obstacle to democracy: Tarique Rahman
He also said, "The Awami League and democracy are enemies of each other. Multifaceted conspiracies are being hatched to obstruct our ongoing democracy. The ousted power will never be able to return to Bangladesh's politics"
BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman has said the Awami League is an obstacle to democracy.
"Awami League and democracy are enemies of each other. In contrast, the BNP upholds democracy, individual freedom, and press freedom," he said today (25 November).
Speaking at the Dhaka Union of Journalists' annual general meeting at the National Press Club, Tarique also said the BNP is aligned with the interim government on state reform initiatives but stresses the need for elections within a reasonable time frame.
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He warned that reforms would be meaningless without addressing the daily needs of the people.
He criticised attempts to create confusion over whether reforms or elections should take precedence.
"We have no discord with the interim government on reforms. Those raising this question have ulterior motives," he stated.
He pledged to work towards a society where justice prevails, freedom of speech is safeguarded, and political empowerment is restored.
Referring to the fall of the previous government, he noted, "With the flight of the exiled autocrat, the interim government has begun a crucial journey to fulfil the aspirations of pro-democracy forces."
Tarique attributed the rise of dictatorship to repeated elections without the people's participation. "The fugitive dictator used such elections to render the public politically powerless. An election is essential to establish the people's rights and dismantle fascist practices," he said.
Highlighting the BNP's stance on reforms, he said the process is continuous and must transcend theoretical changes.
"Reforms require a qualitative transition to a democratic political culture. Bookish reforms will fail if they do not reduce the people's daily hardships," he added.
On elections, Tarique stressed the urgency of arranging free and fair polls within a reasonable timeline.
"No government can survive without the public's vote," he said, noting that the reconstitution of the Election Commission by the interim government was a positive step towards restoring democracy.
He acknowledged the interim government's significant responsibility following the fall of the exiled autocrat, urging vigilance among pro-democracy forces and journalists.
"Opposition forces are conspiring to create misunderstandings among pro-Bangladesh groups at home and abroad. If we remain vigilant, these conspiracies will fail," he said.
The meeting, chaired by Dhaka Journalists' Union president Shafiq-ul Islam and jointly conducted by Didarul Alam and Syed Khan, featured speeches from prominent leaders, including Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, BNP Standing Committee member AZM Zahid Hossain, and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
