The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Wednesday asked leaders and activists of the party not to file cases in a wholesale manner relating to the recent student-people uprising that ensured fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.
‘Verify those [cases] through proper investigation by the police. Do not file such a case in which no one will be found guilty. All cases should not be filed in the name of the central leaders but those persons should be named who are involved,’ BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.
Mentioning that in many places, cases are being filed in the name of the deputy commissioners, he said, ‘We want to cooperate with the current government to ensure a stable environment. The way the cases are being filed, it will not match the revolution.’
Stating that it is unrealistic for some individuals to transform Bangladesh into a paradise, Fakhrul said that both the public and the business community sought a democratic setup and an elected government in the country.
He once again urged the interim government to engage in discussions with political parties regarding a reasonable timeframe for its tenure to prevent any misunderstandings.
‘People want to see a democratic setup here. They want democracy and elections. They become happy when elections are held and accept the outcome of a free and fair election. We must keep these things in mind,’ he said, adding that if anyone asks the people about elections, they will assert that holding the elections is necessary now.
‘The businesspersons in Bangladesh believe an elected government is essential for their businesses, industrial development, and the smooth functioning of the economy. They are clearly saying the sooner this happens, the better,’ he said.
The BNP leader said that businesspeople were saying that they did not feel encouraged to engage in businesses, including the proper import and export of goods in the absence of an elected government.
‘This is the reality. You [journalists] can verify this by speaking with the businesspeople and their leaders,’ he added.
‘If I were to think that an individual or a few individuals could create a paradise, it would be a mistaken belief. The people will decide how the country should be run,’ he said.
Mentioning that their party supports state reforms, Fakhrul reminded that BNP presented a 31-point outline over a year ago aimed at ‘reforming’ the constitution and state system and ensuring economic emancipation.
He said that they were willing to provide a reasonable timeframe and full cooperation to the interim government established through a mass uprising.
‘We will continue to do so as long as we believe the government is on the right track,’ he added.
When asked to explain the logical timeframe for the interim government, the BNP leader stated that it was a matter for discussion.
‘We need to determine it through mutual discussions. We must address what we want, what they want, and what the people want. The current government needs to engage in talks with political parties very soon. Otherwise, many misunderstandings could arise,’ he said.
New Age