Desk Report:
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has urged to restore democracy through early elections to overcome the current crisis in the country. He said that delaying the elections will increase the crisis.
He said this at a seminar at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) auditorium in the capital’s Eskaton on Saturday. The seminar titled ‘Reforms and Elections: National Unity in Perspective’ was organized by Democracy Dias Bangladesh.
Amir Khasru said, ‘For the last 15-16 years, an unrepresentative government has been running the country, which is why Bangladesh is facing a crisis today. Why are discussions on reforms going on even after 14 months of the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic government? The reason is that Bangladesh is known as an unrepresentative country even after 14 months.
‘Historically, it has been proven that countries that have been able to return to a democratic system quickly are in a good position. On the other hand, those countries that have delayed elections by bringing up arguments and various issues have experienced civil wars, social divisions and economic disasters.
He said, ‘After 14 months, arguments are still going on. Yet, in a country next to us, they have announced an election date as the first thing they do after taking responsibility after a revolution or coup. The coup plotters are also going back to their respective jobs.
‘The first expectation of the people of Bangladesh is that they want to see a democratically elected government. They want to see a representative government and parliament, a government that will be responsible and accountable to the people.’
Regarding reforms, the BNP leader said, ‘There have been many discussions on reforms. A consensus commission has been formed. We have no objection. As much as there has been consensus, it is good. But why do we have to have so many discussions again after going beyond the consensus? Why do we have to discuss PR?
‘First, establish the rights of the people and bring back the democratic system through elections, in the absence of which this bad situation has arisen in Bangladesh today. After the democratic system is restored, every party will have the right, they will be able to constantly go to the people with their demands inside and outside the parliament, they will be able to create public opinion. This is democracy. Establish your demands by creating public opinion. But if you create confusion today by talking about consensus and raising other demands without creating public opinion, then it will not work.’
Senior journalist Sohrab Hossain said at the seminar, ‘Just as the media was harassed during Hasina’s time through imprisonment and oppression, harassment is still happening, but in a different way. Apart from that, the country is in a multifaceted crisis. The vice-chairman of the Consensus Commission has said that if elections are not held by February, the crisis will increase further. So I want to say, let us not further increase this crisis by delaying the elections.’
Jonayed Saki, the chief coordinator of the Mass Solidarity Movement, said, ‘After August 5, we have emphasized two issues. One is consensus on reforms and the other is on elections. Currently, many political parties are trying to gain political advantage by making promises in advance. However, if they do not implement these after coming to power, it will be a political defeat.’
He said, ‘There is no reality of PR in the lower house of parliament. However, we can discuss more about PR in the upper house.’
General Secretary of the People’s Rights Council Muhammad Rashed Khan said, ‘When PR is being discussed at the negotiating table, how logical is it to protest on the streets? All the political parties that are doing this must take responsibility for it.
‘Today, the interim government is also discriminating. Because, only three political parties are taken to the UN session. During the coup, there were not only these three parties, but other parties as well.’
Chairman of Democracy Dias Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun presented the concept paper at the seminar.
Other political party representatives present at the event included former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Ruhin Hossain Prince, President of Nagorik Oikya Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Secretary General of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Dr. Golam Mohiuddin Ikram, and others.
