BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has claimed that elections should be held after three reforms. He also felt that the steps taken by the interim government to reform in various fields should be based on consensus.
He said this in an interview given to Kaler Kantha. Here's the full interview for Barta24.com readers:
The chief adviser of the interim government Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Chief of Army Staff General Waqar-Uz Zaman gave speeches on election issues. How do you see the statements of these two?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: Army chief must want elections and within a reasonable time. There is not much difference between Dr. Yunus, the army chief and our statement. We talked about logical time. But never let the reasonable time pass.
The sooner the election is held, the less the problem will be. The longer the elections are held, the more the problem will increase. Those who are against revolution and change and are in favor of fascists will continue to take advantage of that opportunity.
The army chief spoke of 18 months. What is the logical time?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: It is very difficult to say at the moment. I don't want to say a specific time. Let's see, the sooner the better.
What is your opinion about the government's reform proposal?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: Now the reforms announced by the government are necessary. Definitely needed.
We also talked about all those reforms with 31 points two years ago. Those who have been given to the reform committee are qualified people. At the same time they have to see what the people want. Talk to political parties. They need to know who has or has not proposed. A consensus has to be created on this. We want reforms based on that consensus.
BNP wants to reform in any matter?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: Election process, administration and judiciary - if these three reforms can be made to create a favorable environment for the election, the election can be conducted very well. We want elections through these three reforms as soon as possible.
How will the national government that BNP is talking about?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: We have already talked about forming a national government with the parties participating in the movement. Governments have been formed by such alliances in various countries. But national government is undoubtedly a complex process. There is one thing about those who participated in the election. If Awami League participates there, then there is another matter. But the government cannot be formed with Awami League because, they have done treasonous and anti-national acts. There is no question of forming a government with them. For this, the government will be formed with the parties participating in the movement.
What Jamaat will be in that government?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: If they come that way, then the agitating parties will think about it. I will discuss then. I don't want to make a final comment right now.
Awami League cannot be allowed to participate in the elections - such statements are coming from different quarters. What do you think?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: I do not agree about not allowing elections. Why not let you choose? People will judge whether Awami League will exist or not. This is a trend that has been created in politics, it cannot be elected, and the election cannot be done. It should be banned. As Jamaat-e-Islami was banned. It was never fixed. The proof of that is that the Jamaat came in front of me. As far as I understand Awami League, they will participate in the elections.
Those involved in genocide may not be allowed to vote. What can be the situation? Are you in favor of banning Awami League?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: I personally am not in favor of banning Awami League. No political party is in favor of prohibition. My personal opinion is to let a democracy run like a democracy. Democratic practice should be kept. Ban a fascist party. Then it might come back with a different look.
How prepared is the BNP for the election?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: We are a party that is always ready for elections. Because this party is the party that will come to power, it will come to power.
Should the interim government organize local government elections?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: I don't think so. This government should only organize national elections.
In the current context, there is talk of changing the constitution in some cases. What do you think about this?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: The constitution must be changed. Awami League has completely finished this constitution. The state of the constitution should be rewritten. The elected government will do that.
How can the police force be restructured?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: All those involved in wrongdoing should be fired. Those who have been deprived for political reasons should be returned quickly. New recruits need to be recruited very quickly; they need to be trained in a fast time.
How do you see the movement of students? Some say, the entire contribution of the students. 422 of your activists have been killed. So what stood?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: I think everyone has a contribution. The general public wanted change. They were upset with the government. We were in great shape from the beginning to the end of this movement. That does not mean that BNP has done everything, I am not talking about that. We do not know that any democratic political party has suffered the loss we have suffered. Those who are now asking for credit — it is narrow politics. It was a spontaneous movement of the people.
After August 5, an anti-BNP attitude is seen in many quarters. What is the reason for this?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: It is national and international conspiracy we smell One-Eleven, we smell depoliticization. We have to be careful. Nothing is possible in Bangladesh without politics.
Acting Chairman of BNP Tariq Rahman said that the next election is a tough challenge for BNP. What do you think?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: The plan of minus tour in Bangladesh is still there. We are caught up in world politics. India is our neighbor, China is also interested in Bangladesh, Myanmar is also involved in the Rohingya issue, USA is also interested in Bangladesh. That issue works behind the opposition of BNP because nationalist forces are not liked by outsiders.
What is the process of Tariq Rahman's return to the country?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: There are two ways to return home. The first thing is that the cases against him should be withdrawn. The government has promised to withdraw the case.
Is there a distance between Jamaat and BNP?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: There is no distance. The politics of BNP and Jamaat are completely different. Their thoughts and ideals are different. Those who want to establish Awami League politics want to bracket BNP-Jamaat. We have formed alliances to win elections and movements as part of political strategy.
Will there be an electoral alliance with Jamaat?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: It cannot be said now. I will see the public opinion before the election. If it is better to do it alone, I will do so. If it is better to choose in alliance, we can do that too.
Students want to form political parties. Many say, it will be the king's party. How do you see this matter?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: Such attempts have been made many times before in Bangladesh. Political parties usually emerge from movements and struggles. This is its basic premise. Forming a government sponsored party is a separate revolution. But here the main basis of party formation should be people's support.
Want to choose proportionally?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: We will not support it. This method is not practiced in Bangladesh. So the question of its application in this election does not arise.
How to evaluate the future politics of Awami League?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: Awami League is politically bankrupt. Separated from the people. They can come back to politics again; they can also come to elections. But the possibility of returning to the people is less in the near future.
How do you see the case against the country's businessmen and industrialists?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: Some industrialists and businessmen were involved in the major events of the Awami League government. 50-60 thousand people work in their industries. If we close those institutions, then the industrial production of the country will stagnate. There will be economic problems. Unemployment will increase. Maybe the government is thinking about that.
Is there any plan to have a national council of BNP?
Mirza Fakhrul Islam: I personally think we should start the council process as soon as possible. It can be done before the elections.
Courtesy of Kaler Kantha.