2024-08-24 20:42:29
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged the interim government to publish a roadmap on elections and state reforms within a limited time.
He made this call at a discussion meeting at the National Press Club in the capital on Saturday (August 24). Bhasani Anusari Parishad organized this meeting on the occasion of the ninth death anniversary of former Prime Minister Jatiya Party Chairman Kazi Zafar Ahmed.
Addressing the chief guest at the meeting, Fakhrul said, ‘We want to see that the chief adviser will present what he wants to do before the people very soon. Give a roadmap on how he will organize early elections, how he will bring about the necessary reforms and give relief to the people and move forward to go to the polls.’
At this time, the BNP Secretary General also demanded dialogue between the interim government and the political parties regarding the national elections. He said, ‘We have a lot of expectations from the government in the interim. We think they will arrange elections within a reasonable time. We have confidence in this government, people have confidence, everyone has confidence. But it must be done within a limited time, within a period, within a reasonable time. Otherwise the purpose for which it is intended will be completely defeated. Of course, we expect the government to work in this interim period to meet the needs of the people as soon as possible by discussing with the political parties how to speed up an election and make the necessary reforms.’
Fakhrul said, ‘I want to emphasize the election. Elections are crucial for reforms that have come, always come. Because, how will that come? It will come through an elected parliament. There is no alternative. So, some people made a reform—I don’t believe it. I believe that reform should come through people’s participation.’
Stating the need for dialogue, Mirza Fakhrul said, ‘There has been no real agenda-based discussion with the political parties so far. It will not happen without politics. Opinions of political parties should be brought. Those who are doing politics, must have an exchange of views with them.’
He said, ‘Our request to the student leaders who are collaborating today is to consolidate this revolution by taking these issues to a very important place, not to have a counter-revolution. Talks of conspiracy which are already emerging, should be resisted.’
Fakhrul also demanded the removal of the second secretaries of the previous government. He said, “We don’t want to see those people who have been by Hasina’s (former prime minister’s) side, with her, as her friends, they have tortured people, looted, smuggled money abroad, we want to see them around the interim government.” no When we see pictures in the newspaper of these people reuniting and meeting various important people, we get worried. We are very worried that today is 16-17 days. Till now all the secretaries who have run that government for so long, given all their bad ideas are still performing the duties of the secretaries of this government. We want to see immediately those in this bureaucracy who are pro-people, who are in touch with the people, abide by the law and side with this government. We did not say these words. I am forced to say because we cannot see them.’
He also said, ‘Until now no vice-chancellor has been appointed in the universities. But the previous vice-chancellors resigned. We want to see vice-chancellors being appointed, who are acceptable to all.’
Bhasani Anusari Parishad convener Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu chaired and member secretary Abu Yusuf Selim moderated the discussion meeting Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, Nagrik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, JSD General Secretary Shaheed Uddin Mahmud Swapan and many others gave speeches.