Tarique warns against political volatility, urges election participation

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday urged political parties not to make the country’s situation volatile by imposing various conditions, but instead to face people in next year’s national election, rather than issuing threats to the ‘fragile’ interim government.

Speaking virtually at a discussion, he also said it is up to the interim government to decide whether it will implement the aspirations of any particular political party or prioritise holding the February election to establish a government accountable to the people of the country.

“As preparations are underway to establish a government accountable to the people through their direct votes and to restore citizens’ rights, we have observed that a few political parties seem to be positioning themselves against the restoration of the political rights of democracy-loving people, taking advantage of the weaknesses of the interim government,” he said.

Tarique said many of BNP’s allies from the anti-fascist street movement are expressing doubts about the February election next year.

“I would like to draw the attention of our allies present here today to the fact that, instead of issuing threats to the interim government, let us face the people in the upcoming February election. Let us all come forward and stand before the people,” he said.

The BNP arranged the discussion at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre to mark the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’, commemorating the civil-military uprising on 7 November 1975, which marked 50 years.

Senior leaders of different political parties, including the Jamaat-e-Islami, addressed the programme and stressed the need to maintain unity among the anti-fascist political parties to ensure the restoration of democracy through the next national election, removing differences of opinion among them.

Tarique Rahman warned that if any political party, seeing the interim government as weak, tries to get whatever it wants or uses tricks to deny the BNP a victory, such actions could ultimately lead to political disaster for that party.

“I urge our allies on the streets – and anyone trying to muddy the waters – please do not try to make the situation volatile,” he said.

The BNP leader said the international community has made it clear that without an elected government, they will not release funds.

He said at this critical juncture – when the economy is struggling, unemployment is rising, and everything seems to be falling apart – some political parties are setting various conditions.

“Some of those who once stood with us on the streets are now trying to obstruct the national election by attaching various preconditions. Creating complications over holding the election essentially means either trying to seize control of the state machinery without participating in the election or paving the way for the return of a fallen, defeated, and fugitive dictator.”

He said associates of the runaway autocrat recently carried out arson attacks even in the capital. “This should serve as a warning for all forces that once fought against fascism.”

In the past, the BNP leader said, some leaders of a party took shelter under the fascist umbrella to save themselves from repression as part of their political strategy.

“In today’s changed circumstances, it seems the fallen and defeated autocrats are now trying to find refuge under the umbrella of that very party which once stood against fascism. It is time for everyone to take a hard look and think seriously about this situation,” he said.

BP/SP