Photo: TDM
Country’s main opposition party BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) remains highly optimistic about making its Saturday’s (21 July) youth rally a successful one as the party is out to claim its dominance in the field of politics.
The party that ruled the country several times in the past is now gearing up for the ensuing 12th parliamentary elections, viewing it as a crucial mission to reclaim their position in the country's political landscape.
After facing defeat in the past general elections, the BNP is treading carefully this time, with party leaders and workers expressing strong optimism about their chances in the upcoming national polls scheduled to be held later this year.
Taking a bottom-up approach, the BNP has successfully implemented various programmes from its central headquarters to the grassroots level. This meticulous strategy aims to strengthen the party's organisational structure.
The senior leaders of the party have highlighted the mismanagement and alleged exploitation by the ruling Awami League over the past 15 years, which they claim have significantly impacted the livelihoods of citizens, leading to mounting frustration over the soaring cost of living.
The BNP is emphasising this issue in its political agenda, promising to address the people's concerns and grievances if they are elected to power.
“We have learned from the past and are taking every step cautiously. We understand the importance of this election in restoring our existence and the trust of the people," said a senior BNP leader.
The party's focus on socio-economic issues has resonated with many citizens who believe that a change in governance is essential to improve their living conditions.
The international community, particularly Western countries, including the United States, have expressed their strong support for free and fair elections in Bangladesh.
The BNP's proposed formula for ensuring transparency and fairness in the electoral process aligns with the expectations of these nations. In the past, despite raising concerns over the electoral process, the government had not paid any heed to the demands. However, this time around, ignoring international pressure may prove to be challenging, think BNP insiders.
The general secretary of Awami League Obaidul Quader asserted that they would conduct the election as per the constitution. He told that at a press briefing that the election will be participatory but it will be under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Diplomatic sources claim that the government has successfully handled external pressure during the 2014 and 2018 elections. But situation will be different regarding the upcoming election. The US's influence might increase the pressure from the West regarding participatory election.
In this context, BNP leaders firmly believe that this election will be held under a non-partisan government and they advocate that the Awami League's rejection of international pressure and people's movements will not allow them to conduct a one-sided election in their favor. Hence, the BNP hopes to form the government this time.
The BNP's central Publicity Secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny told The Daily Messenger that the government's attempts to silent them won't work this time. The BNP's movement has now become a manifestation of the people's will.
The party aims to organise a big rally of the youth in Dhaka today. This gathering holds special importance for the party as it intends to address the grievances accumulated over the past one and half decades. The massive youth gathering is considered instrumental in countering the government's attempts to suppress their voice, he added.
In today’s gathering, BNP is hopeful of bringing together around one lakh youths.
In this regard the Jubo Dal president Sultan Salahuddin Tuku told TDM that a new history will be written in Suhrawardy Udyan today. Disenfranchised youth took this gathering as a challenge. They will succeed in this rally against the conspiracies of the government and hasten the downfall of the government.
BNP's senior leaders also claim that they have been excluded from the corridors of power for the last two decades. The upcoming election is crucial for the party's leadership and any form of change is desirable. They view the international pressure as an ally in their endeavor.
BNP’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also echoes similar sentiments of the leaders. He announced that this movement against the government will be the final and decisive one. The current movement will encompass all the people of the country and by exercising their rights they will bring about a change in the government's policies.
The BNP's strategy is to unite with other opposition parties to create a united front against the government and build a strong and conclusive movement. They believe that this movement will involve the participation of all the people of the country, and it will eventually lead to the restoration of their rights and bring them back to power.
TDM/FMT
