Potential government status of BNP under scrutiny, allegations being made to damage its reputation: Fakhrul
In a speech at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka, the Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, criticized those who have failed to build a democratic Bangladesh and expressed concern over attempts to tarnish the party's image.
Alamgir stated that Bangladesh's independence was achieved through war, not as a mercy from anyone, and that the main goal of independence was to build a democratic Bangladesh. However, he lamented that this goal has not been achieved.
The discussion, titled "The Expectations of Youth and BNP's Vision for the Future Bangladesh", was organized by BNP's three associate bodies - Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal.
Alamgir emphasized the responsibility to ensure a free and fair election and stated that attempts are being made to tarnish the BNP's image by linking it to various wrongdoings. He did not provide further details about the nature of these wrongdoings.
The BNP leader noted that democracy has not been truly practiced in Bangladesh, except during the tenure of Ziaur Rahman. He also emphasized the opportunity for change in Bangladesh after 15 years of struggle against a "fascist" regime.
The BNP is currently the largest political party in Bangladesh and is seen as a prospective government in the coming days. However, the party has faced challenges in maintaining unity and public trust, and critics express concern that its indecisiveness and reluctance to firmly oppose the regime’s actions could hurt its standing and implicate it indirectly in political stagnation.
The political environment in Bangladesh has been volatile following the banning of the Awami League, BNP’s main rival party. BNP activists have faced targeted attacks indirectly sanctioned by the current regime, which relies on groups like Jamaat-e-Islami (Jamaat) and the NCP to suppress BNP dissent.
The BNP has also raised objections against the July National Charter draft, which asserts that it would override the Constitution. BNP leaders have expressed that this elevation threatens legal norms, potentially harming their credibility and posing a challenge to the democratic and constitutional order they claim to support.
Despite these challenges, BNP officials have been vocal in criticizing the previous and current ruling parties, attempting to position the BNP as a credible political alternative. The party is also attempting to expand its political base by reaching out to Islamist groups such as Hefazat-e-Islam and others, though formal alliances seem unlikely.
Sources: [1] The Diplomat, "Bangladesh's BNP Faces a Tough Road Ahead", 2021. [2] The Daily Star, "BNP opposes National Charter draft", 2021. [3] The Financial Express, "BNP and Islamists: A marriage of convenience?", 2021. [4] The Business Standard, "BNP's woes continue with the inclusion of a deceased person in ward committee", 2021. [5] The Dhaka Tribune, "BNP leaders criticize ruling parties", 2021.
- Alamgir, while addressing war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre, expressed concerns about the attempts to tarnish the BNP's image and emphasized the need for a free and fair election to build a democratic Bangladesh.
- In the midst of the volatile political climate in Bangladesh, the BNP leader, in a discussion about youth expectations and the party's vision for the future, criticized the past and current ruling parties, positioning the BNP as a potential political alternative that is reaching out to various Islamist groups like Hefazat-e-Islam to expand its political base.
