Photo: Collected
Stating that deliberate efforts are underway to create chaos on various fronts, BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Kahn on Tuesday urged the political parties and people from all walks of life to cooperate with the interim government in addressing all plots and challenges.
Speaking at a discussion meeting in the capital , he also said it matters little whether deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned or not, as she fled the country in the face of a mass movement.
“The conspiracies have not stopped. Various plots are being hatched. We must remain vigilant and cooperate with the government to tackle these plots. We know this government is not very strong, as it does not represent any party or opinion," the BNP leader said.
He said that the interim government did not usurp power, as the nation entrusted it with the responsibility to run the state. "We must collaborate with the government since we have given it this charge. “There are deliberate efforts to create chaos in various sectors of the country. There were attempts to disrupt order during the recent Durga Puja, but we resisted these efforts through united efforts of all."
As a labour leader, Nazrul said, he had never heard of the demand for ensuring parity between male and female workers in the RMG factories. “However, a movement was launched over this issue, resulting in factories being attacked, ransacked, and shut down. Are those who carried out this movement truly labour workers?”
The Bangladesh Labour Party organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club to mark its 47th founding anniversary.
Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said it is a mistake to think that the Awami League lacks the capability to create chaos in the country just because the party is not in power and its top leaders have fled.
"They have that capacity and are attempting to create problems in various ways. However, it is the government's responsibility to suppress unjust activities. We can assist them, but we cannot do so in favour of the government. We urge the government to take effective steps promptly to provide relief to the people by stabilising the prices of essential goods," he said.
The BNP leader expressed concern and doubt over why the issue of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation suddenly emerged. "It is the government's responsibility to investigate the matter and take appropriate action."
Nazrul, who was in jail on August 5, said, “From prison, we saw on television that the President, accompanied by the chiefs of the three services, stated that Sheikh Hasina had resigned and accepted her resignation letter. There should be no controversy over this after the President's announcement.”
After that, he noted that Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, claimed she did not step down. “Later, we heard a telephone conversation where Hasina stated she did not resign in the way it should have been done. This implies that she did resign…so there should be no question about her resignation. It is of little significance whether she resigned or not, as she has fled the country."
The BNP leader stated that some political parties are suddenly advocating for the Proportional Representation (PR) election system. “They never discussed it in the past, and even some major parties are now supporting it. This is a significant decision that should be determined through discussions.”
He said India, the largest democracy in the world, does not use the PR system in their lower house or Lok Sabha elections, nor in the Vidhan Sabha. “The PR system is also not applied in the USA, Canada, or France. Even in England, where democracy originated, the PR system is not used,” he said.
Nazrul added that the PR system has been implemented in Nepal and Sri Lanka in South Asia. “We have also seen how many times the government has changed in Nepal over the past 5 to 7 years.”
He said there should be no room for implementing any special agenda of individuals or groups taking advantage of a changed situation. “Decisions should be made in line with the hopes and desires of the people. Nothing should be imposed; instead, we should accept what is beneficial for all."
Speaking at the same programme, BNP standing committee member Begum Selima Rahman said the allies of the fascist Sheikh Hasina regime are still occupying key positions in the country. “These associates are attempting to stage a comeback in a planned manner. However, their return to politics will not be that easy."
Messenger/Fameema
