Party says no change in law, constitution before polls
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has demanded the next general election after urgent reforms that can be done immediately without any amendment to the constitution or law.
The resolution adopted at the party鈥檚 extended committee meeting on Thursday sought immediate implementation of reform proposals adopted by consensus that could be implemented before the elections.
The party resolved that all reforms that needed amendments to the law or the constitution should be placed before the elected parliament for approval.
The BNP also urged the interim government to complete the necessary reforms to hold free, fair, and impartial elections as soon as possible.
The party also issued strict instructions to the party leaders and activists to refrain from corruption, internal conflicts, and wrongdoings.
The demands were made in the party鈥檚 extended committee meeting at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka on Thursday, according to a BNP鈥檚 press release issued on Friday.
The meeting instructed the leaders and activists of the party and its wings and associated organisations to be active among the people with people-friendly programmes and to earn the respect and love of the people through their words and deeds.
According to the meeting decisions, the BNP said that it was the demand of the time to continue to work in collaboration with all anti-fascist parties and organisations to implement the state reform agenda based on the party鈥檚 31-point state reform proposals.
It emphasised the need for continued efforts to achieve the goals of democracy, human rights, economic freedom, equality, and social justice, as laid out by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in Vision 2030 in 2015.
The party also stressed the importance of the 31-point outline for state reforms, announced by BNP鈥檚 acting chairperson Tarique Rahman in 2023, saying that the reform agenda was developed with the support of various political parties aiming at combating fascism and working towards national reconstruction.
The BNP further stressed the urgent need for comprehensive cooperation to ensure the success of all people-centric activities carried out by the interim government.
The primary responsibility of all citizens is to support the interim government in holding free, fair, and neutral parliamentary elections, which are crucial to restoring democracy and providing the people with their rightful representatives.
Amid the continuous challenges faced by the people, including the rising prices of essential commodities and a deteriorating law and order situation, the meeting called on the interim government to take immediate and effective steps to address these issues.
If not addressed, these problems can pose a significant threat to the peace and stability of the country, the meeting warned.
The meeting also called for a collective resistance against the corrupt practices of businesses and syndicates, as well as those individuals causing unrest under the guise of protests.
It said that the government鈥檚 failure to take effective legal action against such individuals was unacceptable.
The meeting also called for a clarification from the government on how the perpetrators, including deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and their accomplices involved in human rights abuses under the Hasina-led fascist regime could be able to flee the country without facing consequences.
It also expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in holding these criminals accountable, despite strong evidence from domestic and international sources.
The meeting urged the government to take swift diplomatic and legal action against the individuals living abroad as they were conspiring against the sovereignty, peace, and stability of the country.
The meeting also called for the immediate withdrawal of all false and fabricated cases filed by the fascist Awami League government and the army-backed 1/11 government.
It demanded justice for those wrongfully targeted.
The meeting, held after seven years, also vowed to uphold the party鈥檚 legacy and fight for the political rights, economic prosperity, and human dignity of the people.
The meeting, chaired by BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, was joined virtually by the party chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia as the chief guest.