07/21/2025
Staff Correspondent | Published: 2025-07-20 03:17:53
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday called on the people of Bangladesh and all democratic political parties to remain vigilant against any conspiracy aimed at delaying the upcoming national election through orchestrated chaos.
“I urge the people, democratic parties, and those involved in the ongoing movement to stay alert and watch closely for any attempts to postpone the national election beyond the timeframe indicated by the interim government,” he said while speaking virtually from London during a discussion held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Khamarbari, Dhaka.
The event was organised by the private university unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal to honour the contributions of private university students, teachers, and the martyrs of the July–August mass uprising.
Referring to recent comments circulating on social media and in various forums, Tarique alleged that certain quarters, possibly with the support of elements within the interim government, appear to be trying to provoke instability in the country.
He also pointed to a series of recent violent and unexpected incidents that, he claimed, have shaken public confidence in the interim government’s ability to manage the current situation.
“There are now growing doubts from different quarters about whether the interim government is truly capable of holding a credible election. These are no longer isolated concerns,” he added.
Tarique urged the interim administration to demonstrate greater transparency and courage in addressing the country’s challenges. “The people of Bangladesh who believe in democracy will support you. Democratic forces will stand with you if you take a clear and bold stance.”
He emphasised the significance of the upcoming general election, calling it a crucial opportunity to strengthen democracy in a more institutional and inclusive way.
“We must all act with responsibility and remain alert, ensuring that no form of extremism or authoritarianism returns to our politics or state institutions due to any impulsive or misguided decisions on our part,” he said.
The BNP leader also warned that without empowering the people politically, any attempts at state reform would be unsustainable.
“Political aspirations must be fulfilled through the verdict, trust, and confidence of the people – not by abusing state power or manipulating administrative systems,” he said.
Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the role of private university students and teachers in the recent mass uprising that led to the fall of what he described as the “fascist” Awami League government.
He said the martyrs of the 2024 uprising would be remembered with the same reverence as those of the 1971 Liberation War.
Tarique noted that although the BNP had fully supported the 2024 quota reform movement from the beginning, the party had taken a strategic approach to prevent the ruling party from portraying it as a BNP-led political initiative.
He argued that a nation built on the sacrifices of the martyrs of 1971 and 2024 cannot be shaped by slogans or outdated political methods alone, but rather requires leadership rooted in knowledge, science, and progressive thinking.
“The first step towards achieving the kind of country the martyrs dreamed of is to establish a government that is accountable to the people and elected directly by them,” he said.
“A truly free and fair election is absolutely essential. There is no alternative to practising and protecting the political rights of the people if we want to dismantle the foundations of fascism,” he added.
Also addressing the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that if the party comes to power, one of its first priorities would be to rehabilitate the victims of the July uprising.
BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also spoke at the event, among others.
The programme began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem. A minute’s silence was observed in memory of the martyrs of the mass uprising.
Some family members of those who lost their lives during the movement shared their stories and grief, creating an emotional atmosphere during the event.
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