Unresolved issues, including delays in declaring a polls roadmap and resolving politically motivated cases, are creating a distance between the BNP and the interim government.
Some comments made by government advisers and the BNP’s apprehension of a new “government-backed political party” in the works are making things even worse, party insiders said.
To narrow the gap, the BNP has been calling for dialogue with the interim government since it assumed office.
The BNP has been sharpening its criticism recently.
The party says it is not happy with the draft of the cyber protection ordinance. It believes the new law grants law enforcers excessive powers.
The party said the government failed to set a clear election roadmap and provide a timeline for reforms.
It has also expressed concern over the chief adviser’s proposal to set the minimum voter age to 17 and said such a move could delay the polls further.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir voiced disappointment after Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in one of his addresses to the nation did not specify, according to the BNP, when the polls would be held.
He said that there is a public perception that the interim government is intentionally delaying the election process.
“We can’t delay the election for the sake of reforms. An unelected government cannot stay for a long time under the pretext of reform,” Fakhrul said.
On December 23, Fakhrul at a rally in Thakurgaon said people would have to take to the streets again for the right to food and vote.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “The most important issue is the upcoming election, but there has been no discussion with us on this matter.”
The party also came down heavily on the way the government was handling politically motivated cases.
Several BNP leaders pointed out that cases against Prof Yunus were quickly withdrawn, but those filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman remain unresolved.
Moazzem Hossain Alal, an adviser to the BNP chairperson, claimed that the government positioned itself as pawns in a political game.
The party is also concerned that the interim government may support the formation of a new political party by leaders of the Students Against Discrimination.
BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “A new political party is always welcome, but it should not be formed with government support.”
He said, “Being an adviser you do politics from within the government. And you’ll form a party and waste time for the sake of it and keep making excuses until you are ready for elections. People understand what you are doing.”
The BNP held discussions with leaders of like-minded parties on December 21 last year and expressed concerns over the government’s potential involvement in forming a new political party.
It recently criticised comments of advisers Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and Syeda Rizwana Hasan. The two had said that the politicians in the past failed to carry out reforms.
Some demands made by the Students Against Discrimination, like “proclamation of July uprising,” banning the Awami League, and removing the president, irked the BNP.
According to party sources, Fakhrul met Prof Yunus on Sunday and warned that making the proclamation without consulting political parties could lead to chaos and instability.
The BNP believes that the label “proclamation” should be avoided in any announcement regarding the mass uprising.
The party’s top leaders want such a declaration to acknowledge not only the July uprising but also the struggles and sacrifices made by people over the last 16 years.
According to party leaders, the BNP is determined to ensure that the next election is held this year.
source : daily star
