BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said, “We demanded an election roadmap. We did not ask for his [the caretaker government’s chief advisor] resignation. But instead, he staged a resignation drama. We called for elections by December. I urge everyone to unite in demanding a neutral government, democracy, and elections. Let our collective goal be —Bangladesh first. Under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the Bangladesh of tomorrow will be a new Bangladesh.”
The senior BNP leader was speaking at a youth rally organised jointly by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, and Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, where he warned against attempts to divide the anti-fascist alliance and criticised the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, emphasising the the party’s commitment to establishing a functioning democratic system led by the youth of the country.
“Many are trying to create rifts among the anti-fascist alliance,” Salahuddin said, urging unity among the people to resist what he described as attempts by fascist forces to make a comeback.
He went on to say that the Awami League government has engaged in widespread corruption over the past 15 years, claiming that nearly Tk30 lakh crore was laundered and Tk2.80 lakh crore looted under the façade of “mega projects”.
“We want to remind people the extent of the the Awami League’s corruption,” he added, accusing the ruling party of systematically undermining democracy since its inception.
Salahuddin referenced the creation of the controversial Rakkhi Bahini during the early years of the Awami League as part of Awami League’s history of corruption.
Calling for immediate action, the BNP leader demanded that a roadmap for the upcoming general election be announced soon, expressing hope that an interim government would soon outline a clear plan to ensure a democratic electoral process.
“If not,” he said, “this will lead to an unfortunate chapter in our history where citizens are forced to protest against a government that was meant to uphold democracy,” he warned.