BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan on Tuesday questioned how long the people of Bangladesh would have to wait for the restoration of democracy, expressing deep concern over attempts to delay the national election.
“We are the proud people of Bangladesh who laid down their lives for language, democracy and independence. We are still waiting for democracy and raising our voices, chanting slogans and organising rallies for it. How long? How many more times do we have to continue this struggle?” he said while addressing a discussion meeting.
Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (Jagpa) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 8th death anniversary of its founder Shafiul Alam Prodhan.
Nazrul said a quarter has been trying to obstruct the restoration of democracy in various ways and by raising various preconditions and making various demands.
"Various questions are being raised to create obstacles in the way of re-establishing democracy. They are saying this has to be done first and that has to be done first... there is no question of doing it first or later. Whatever needs to be done has to be done," he said.
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Nazrul, a BNP Standing Committee member, said they are hearing that many people are also demanding local government elections under the caretaker government. “This is not possible. An interim government is formed only for the national elections. We all know that it will take more than a year to hold local government elections. So, making such demands means trying to delay the national election."
Nazrul criticised those who are pitting reform against election which he thinks is also an effort to derail the election. “This attempt to frame reform and election as opposing forces is another mistake, even a crime. Democracy itself is a reform.”
He said democracy emerged through reforms and revolutions from monarchy and feudalism. “That democracy works differently in different countries…So, reform and democracy are not contradictory rather they are complementary. That’s why we say – justice must be ensured, reforms must be carried out, elections must be held – and all of it must happen as soon as possible.”
Nazrul also said a quarter has been carrying out campaigns that BNP does not want reforms. “But does anyone want reforms more than us?" he raised the question.