Yunus, former advisers must join protests, save reforms: Nahid

Former Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and his fellow advisers must take to the streets to protect the achievements of the previous interim government, said National Citizen Party Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam today.

He made the remarks during a press briefing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon returning after performing umrah.

The Dhaka-11 lawmaker said those who led the interim government, including Prof Yunus and Asif Nazrul, must take responsibility, as the BNP government is scrapping key ordinances passed under their administration, including one on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

“The ordinances they drafted are being scrapped, and they need to speak up. Dr Yunus must open his mouth. They handed over power to the BNP through election engineering and left,” Nahid alleged.

“Now these ordinances will be cancelled, reforms won’t happen, and they will remain silent and return to their careers. This cannot happen. They will have to face the people’s court.”

“We gave them power through the blood of the people, but they have disappointed us. However, to retain whatever was achieved during their tenure, they must also take to the streets. I call upon Dr Yunus to join the street protests,” he added.

Terming the BNP an “anti-reform party”, Nahid said post–August 5 reform politics were expected, but the party sought elections under the old system while demanding a new constitution and radical reforms.

Criticising the ruling party, he said the BNP is disregarding everything after securing a two-thirds majority in the elections.

“They have scrapped the public mandate of the referendum. Now we hear they are withholding 10-11 key ordinances, including those on enforced disappearances, the human rights commission and judicial appointments,” he said.

“By scrapping these, they want an autocratic system and absolute executive power,” Nahid added.

The NCP convener claimed the people did not respond to the BNP’s movements over the last 16 years because they never had faith in its leadership.

“We sought a solution in parliament, but failing that, we will take to the streets. We want a constitutional reform council, and the ordinances must be enacted into law,” Nahid said, warning the BNP government would struggle to govern during a looming recession without public trust.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/politics/news/yunus-former-advisers-must-join-protests-save-reforms-nahid-4143391