United News of Bangladesh

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday, in an oblique reference, accused Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of siding with a vested quarter trying to create political unrest and obstruct the next national election. “We are suspecting that this political party (Jamaat) is working in support of forces trying to make the political situation volatile, create instability and delay or even derail the next parliamentary election,” he said while speaking at a discussion. The BNP leader warned that if the election is delayed or foiled, fascism will rise again which will inevitably lead to the emergence of undemocratic forces. “Do we want that? Of course not,” he said. Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, said his party believes Jamaat is working in favour of those who want to destabilise the country and obstruct the election, as the Islamist party has taken to the streets with unjustified demands, including the introduction of the Proportional Representation (PR) system in the next election. Salahuddin said even a political party that is now talking about the PR system took part in the one-sided election. “They’re now promoting the activities of the Awami League.” The National Democratic Party (NDP) arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking its 36th founding anniversary. Salahuddin reiterated BNP’s stance against the PR system, saying it would push the country into instability and political turmoil. He said if the election is held under the PR system, governments would change so often that people’s expectations would never be fulfilled, and no party would be able to carry out its political pledges. “We must not allow Bangladesh to fall into such an unstable and uncertain situation by adopting this arrangement.” The BNP leader said conflicting survey results about PR should not be used to mislead the public. “I urge those political parties who are putting their own interests above the nation’s welfare and sacrificing the interests of the country and its people for political gain to return to the right path for the sake of the people of Bangladesh and stop confusing the public,” he said. Under a PR system, the BNP leader said, independent candidates would lose their rights as they would not be able to contest elections because people would vote for parties and symbols, not individuals. “Voters would not even know who they are voting for. Do we want a system that does not protect the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh, or one that people cannot understand? Of course not. So, no party should try to mislead the nation by talking about the PR system,” he said. Salahuddin said Article 65(2) of the Constitution clearly states that Parliament shall consist of 300 members elected in accordance with the law from single territorial constituencies by direct election. Even then, he said, Jamaat leaders are claiming that the Constitution does not specifically mention anything about the election system. Salahuddin said BNP and other democratic parties have been struggling over the past 16 years to restore and exercise the democratic rights of the people. “We are eagerly waiting to exercise those rights. We must ensure they are implemented. By exercising the right to vote, Bangladesh’s democratic journey will move forward.’ Entire world supports Bangladesh’s democratic transition: Mirza Fakhrul He also said those elected to the next parliament must remain accountable and committed to implementing the reform programmes agreed upon through the National Consensus Commission. The BNP leader warned that their party would never give in to the ill motives of any political party. Salahuddin said no one has the right to change the Constitution without following a legal and constitutional process. “If we do so, it will create a bad precedent and lead to repeated demands for such changes in the future.” “The state is not a child’s game. We cannot play with the fate of 180 million people. The country must be run in a lawful and systematic way. We can never bow to the motives of any political party. The will of the people is final — they are the true owners of this republic,” he observed. Speaking about the proposed July Charter, Salahuddin said people could express their opinion through a referendum held on the same day as the national election. “If people say yes, then the newly elected parliament will have the mandate to implement that charter.” He criticised any move to impose constitutional changes immediately through unconstitutional means, saying, “The Constitution is not something that can be changed overnight just because someone wishes to.” Recalling the history of Bangladesh’s birth, Salahuddin said that when there was no constitution and the country was forced into war, the elected representatives at the time formed the Constituent Assembly and issued the Proclamation of Independence. “They declared before the people that they had formed the Constituent Assembly and authorised the formation of the offices of President, Vice-President, and Cabinet to run the state on behalf of the people,” he said. The BNP leader said the administration governed the country and issued all laws through presidential orders as part of a legitimate process. “Later, the Constitution was framed, and elections were held under it. Since then, the constitutional process has continued properly without irregularities. So far, the Constitution has been amended 17 times, and there may be an 18th amendment in the future,” he said. Salahuddin said they have always maintained that any changes made through national consensus must follow a lawful and constitutional path. “We hope the issues on which everyone has agreed, even with some differences, can be finalised through a valid and lawful process.” He expressed hope that discussions on the proposed national charter, set for 5 October, would result in a fair, lawful, and widely accepted process of constitutional reform.

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said holding the national election before December is possible as completing the necessary reforms based on a consensus could take less than a month. “December is far too late. It is possible to hold the election before then. If the reform proposals, excluding those related to constitutional amendments, are accepted through national consensus, they can be implemented in less than a month,” he said. Salahuddin made the comments while speaking at a discussion titled “Trail of Genocide, State Reform, and Election Roadmap” organised by the Gono Odhikar Parishad at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU). Salahuddin Ahmed made this statement at a discussion titled “Genocide Trial, State Reform and Election Roadmap' organized by the Gono Odhikar Parishad at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday. Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, noted that there is public opinion suggesting BNP may secure a majority in the election, though that will only be confirmed once the election takes place. In light of this concern, he alleged that some new political parties have started considering ways to avoid this situation by delaying the election under various pretexts. “But if we believe in democracy, if we believe in the right to vote, and if we want to establish a new democratically elected government, there is no alternative to democracy and election,” the BNP leader said. Rizvi slams govt for retaining black money whitening provision in budget He said democracy remains the most widely recognised system in the world. “We are all in favour of democracy and a prompt election to establish the people’s right to vote.” Salahuddin reiterated that they have yet to find any valid argument to justify delaying the election beyond December. “There is not a single reason that justifies holding the election after December. Yesterday (Monday), we raised this issue…if there is even one reason, we urge you to present it.” He said their party leaders have consistently been presenting their arguments as to why the national election should be held by December. “We hope the Chief Adviser will give the matter due consideration.” The BNP leader said establishing an elected political government is the only way to halt efforts by both local and international conspirators to destabilise the country. “The sooner we recognise this and act on it, the better it will be for Bangladesh.” He said those elected by the people through a credible election should govern the country as they would be the legitimate representatives chosen by the public. Salahuddin urged all to remain alert so that the anti-fascism unity forged during the mass uprising last year is not destroyed by indulging in too much debate on the election and reform. “We all must remain vigilant so that division is not created among the democratic forces. The nation expects that we’ll move forward towards the democratic process by considering everything logically.” He said there is now much discussion on national reforms, trials and elections. “But the election is a completely different matter from reforms and the trial. The trials will be conducted independently. Those who come to power after this government will have to carry that out.” BNP wants only national election under 90-day caretaker govt: Salahuddin The BNP leader said it will take a long time to try those who committed crimes against humanity, and the judiciary will continue the trial process independently. “So, it would not be right to say that there is a direct relationship between the trial and the election. Setting a time for the trial is tantamount to injustice. Because we all know the long trial process and time has to be given to do justice,” he said. Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna,  Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Redwan Ahmed, Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partha, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, 12-party Coordinator Syed Ehsanul Huda, Bhasani Janoshakti Chairman Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Babul, atiya Samajtantrik Dal General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan, Ganosamhati Andolon's Executive Coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel, Jatiya Mukti Council General  Secretary  Fawzul Hakim, among others, spoke at the programme with Gono Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur in the chair. They all advocated for holding the national election by December to restore democracy and the people’s right to vote in the country.

- BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said most reforms can be done within a month if there is consensus, emphasising that there's no valid reason to hold the election after December. “We have been able to make it understood that there is not even a single mentionable reason to hold the election after December,” he said while talking to reporters after coming out of the second phase of the talks with the Consensus Commission. The BNP leader also claimed that during the meeting, they observed that almost all political parties proposed holding the election before December this year. He expressed the hope that the Chief Adviser would now take into account the collective proposal of the political parties.  “We hope that, as a symbol of national unity, he will act with complete neutrality, rising above personal attachment or emotion. The nation expects absolute impartiality from him,” Salahuddin said. He said they believe the parliamentary election can be held by December. “Before that, we can identify key reforms, particularly those related to the electoral process, which can be undertaken on an urgent basis and implemented through consensus.” The BNP leader stressed that there are no reforms that cannot be carried out within a month. “We have received a report today that several reforms across various sectors have already been implemented by ordinances issued through the Law Ministry. Many others are in the pipeline. These can be executed either by ordinance, executive order, or even office order.” Salahuddin also said all reforms, except those requiring constitutional amendments, can be implemented within a month through ordinances, executive orders, or administrative directives based on consensus. In response to a question, he said, “We discussed various constitutional proposals submitted by different parties. Considering the sincerity being shown, it is possible to reach a consensus and finalise the charter.” BNP’s Amir Khosru dubs budget unrealistic, disconnected from revenue reality The BNP leader said there will naturally be disagreements on certain issues and they do not expect every party to agree on everything. “If a formal charter is signed based on a consensus, it would be enough. It will also be reflected in our election manifesto and presented as a commitment to the nation.” Speaking about the Consensus Commission, Salahuddin said, “In my opinion, they are showing genuine sincerity. However, they have already lost valuable time. We hope they won’t take much longer. We believe everything can be compiled within this month.” BNP’s Meeting with Consensus Commission Tuesday Meanwhile, the second round of talks between BNP and the National Consensus Commission is scheduled to take place at 11 am on Tuesday at the Foreign Service Academy. The same BNP-delegation, led by Salahuddin Ahmed, will participate in it. Earlier, a three –member BNP delegation, led by Salahuddin Ahmed, joined the second phase of talks organised by the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy. BNP leader Mosharraf urges interim govt to hold polls by Dec for ‘graceful exit’ The meeting was held with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who heads the National Consensus Commission, in the chair, aiming to resolve the disagreements over key reforms that hindered progress in the first round. All the parties involved with the reform initiatives participated in the meeting.  The other members of the BNP delegation are Ismail Zabihullah, a member of the party chairperson’s advisory council and Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol, former secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. This meeting was part of the ongoing talks that began earlier this year to build a broad political agreement on important national reforms. The first phase of the National Consensus Commission’s meetings with 33 political parties took place from February 15 to May 19. While the major political parties reached a consensus on most of the reforms, they disagreed on some key issues.