BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called on the interim government to announce a specific date for the national election by December, citing growing political uncertainty and economic stagnation.
Speaking virtually from London at a discussion commemorating the 44th death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Tarique emphasised the urgency of restoring democratic processes.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia addressed the discussion as the chief guest.
The event was presided over by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and attended by senior party leaders, including Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku.
“I urge the interim government once again — bear the people’s aspiration and immediately announce a specific date for holding the national election by December,” he told the discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka on Thursday.
He heavily criticised the interim administration for its lack of accountability and failure to set an election date even after ten months in office. “This government is in no way accountable. It has no scope to be accountable to the people as well,” Tarique remarked.
Highlighting the economic impact of the political uncertainty, Tarique noted, “This [uncertainty] has virtually brought the country’s economic activities to a standstill.”
He added that the absence of a stable, elected government with a fixed term has deterred desired investments, leading to the shutdown of hundreds of factories and are jeopardising many more.
Tarique also pointed out the disconnect between the interim government’s advisers and the general populace. “Some may be trying to identify and solve people’s problems by sitting in offices and reviewing files. But if all problems could be solved solely through administration-dependent file work without direct communication with the people, then surely there would be no need for political parties or politics.”
Reiterating the BNP’s stance, Tarique asserted that the national election must be held by December, urging the interim government to align with the people’s expectations.
Tarique opined that the people of Bangladesh are ready to vote for their preferred candidates to establish an accountable government through an election. “But the interim government seems to be failing to realise the people’s expectations.”