DHAKA, MAY 25 (V7N) – BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday expressed hope that Bangladesh's citizens would soon witness the "most credible national election in the country’s history" under the leadership of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Speaking virtually at a discussion organized by the National People’s Party (NPP) marking its 18th founding anniversary at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman stated, "Our expectation is now that the people will immediately see the most free and impartial national election in the country's history under the leadership of a skilled and competent and internationally acclaimed head of interim government."

He highlighted that political parties have once again met with the Chief Adviser, demanding a clear announcement of the national election's date and timeframe. "BNP has demanded that the national election must be held by next December," he asserted.Tarique Rahman affirmed that the BNP and other democratic parties, who have long protested together, continue to offer their full cooperation to the interim government for necessary reforms in public administration and law and order forces to facilitate the national election.

However, he issued a warning: "Taking advantage of any excuse or unnecessary delay in establishing a government accountable to the people in the people's Bangladesh through the people's vote, the fallen, fugitive and defeated autocrat is waiting to rise up." He expressed confidence, however, that it is possible to prevent the "rehabilitation of fascists, subversives, and evil forces" by establishing the rights of the people in a fascism-free Bangladesh.

"Although we see procedural and systematic differences among the anti-fascist political parties in terms of our respective party ideology and programmes, I firmly believe that the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh are united as they were on August 5 on the one-sided issue of tackling the rise of fascism in the larger interest of the country and the people," Tarique Rahman emphasized.

He noted that a sense of instability is pervasive among citizens, leading people from various walks of life and professions to protest daily with diverse demands. "Though unfortunately, there is no one to pay heed to their demands," he added.

The BNP leader recounted the oppression, plots, and suppression faced by political parties during the "fascist Awami League" rule. He stressed that all political parties should now focus on resisting the political comeback of "the fallen fascist," asserting that "political empowerment of the people is necessary" for this goal.

"No government can become autocratic when the country’s people become politically empowered," he said, adding that "An elected government is necessary to empower the country’s people." He further elaborated, "I think the most important thing to prevent dictatorship or fascism in the state is the political empowerment of people. If a parliamentary government is formed with elected representatives through the direct vote of people, then the government is bound to be accountable to people."

Tarique Rahman also stated that regardless of a government's nature—elected, interim, or caretaker—if it cannot be made accountable to the people, the ruling administration may inadvertently become autocratic. "That is why citizens must continue to constructively criticise the government, even by ignoring all sorts of threats. Every citizen must be vocal in establishing their rights," he urged.

The BNP Acting Chairman also opposed the government’s recent move to reform the National Board of Revenue (NBR) just before the national budget, warning of its potential negative impact on revenue collection and the overall economy. He acknowledged the necessity of reforms for qualitative changes in the state, government, and politics, but stressed the importance of "practical reform" over theoretical reform.

He urged the government to accept the justified demands of the people, rising above "emotion and anger." "The people of the country are not at the mercy of any government. The government is certainly obliged to listen to the people and accept their just demands. There is no scope for the government to be emotional and aggrieved," the BNP leader said.

While affirming the "moral and political legitimacy" of the interim government, established "on the blood of several thousand martyrs," Tarique Rahman also noted that this government is "certainly not accountable to people." Therefore, he argued, the government's specific plans need to be made clear to the public for moral reasons. He warned that no plan could be effective and sustainable if the people are kept in the dark and political parties remain in uncertainty.

Finally, Tarique Rahman lamented that local and foreign investment in the country has stagnated due to the lack of a stable democratic government.

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