BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has called for a festive and transparent election, saying that it is the foremost demand of the people of Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters on Friday afternoon at Hotel Peninsula in Chattogram, Khosru stressed that citizens are waiting to elect their representatives and that focusing on minor issues is a waste of time.
“The most urgent demand of the people is to restore democratic order, which can only happen through free and fair elections. Through voting, a parliament can be formed and a government constituted. Bangladesh has lacked a parliament accountable to its citizens for the past 15 to 16 years,” he said.
Khosru emphasised that the people of Bangladesh are eager for a celebration of democracy. He said that focusing on minor issues is a waste of time and called for immediate steps toward elections to restore the country’s ownership to its citizens.
“Through elections, a parliament and government accountable to the people can be formed. This is the demand of the people,” he added.
On the role of an elected government in addressing national issues, Khosru said, “A democratic order will restore Bangladesh. All current problem, including constitutional, economic, and social, can only be resolved through elected representatives and the government. No other authority can understand the people’s needs or respond to them. Only an elected government can address the problems that have arisen, and there is no alternative.”
Regarding political unrest linked to the Awami League, he noted that preventing disorder is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies, not political parties. Gradually, we must move away from that culture.
Law enforcement exists to maintain law and order, and they should fulfill their responsibilities, he said adding that for judgment and accountability, there is the judiciary, which must function independently.
“We had demanded an impartial judiciary, and that has now been established. It will be further strengthened in the coming days,” he added.
Responding to questions about the alleged handing over of Laldia Char to foreigners, Khosru said that the party is not focusing on the matter at present. “Our attention is on political transition, elections, and the restoration of democracy. Those who made such decisions will have to answer for them; we cannot.”
On the possibility of a referendum, he added, “We are open to a referendum. The government has already decided, and the people will determine the options. This is not a decision for the BNP to make.”
