Tarique calls for early election to restore stability, implement reforms

Dhaka, 23 Feb – BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday reaffirmed the need for an early national election to restore stability, implement reforms and resolve the pressing challenges facing the nation.

“It surely needs to restore stability soon in the country…we think it will be possible to gradually bring the country back from the brink of destruction as soon as it is possible to restore a stable situation in the country,” he said.

Tarique said this while addressing a training workshop titled ‘31-point proposal to repair the state structures and public engagement’ arranged by Dhaka Bar Unit of Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum at Dhaka Bar Lawyers Association Auditorium in the city.

He said some people questioned whether an election will solve all problems. “In this regard, we can think that since a stable situation will return after the election and reform works will gradually begin, the severity or intensity of the problems will gradually begin to ease,” he added.

Pointing to those who demand and argue for holding the local government elections first before the national election, he asked them to consider the present reality as instability is everywhere in the country.

“If we look around, we can see instability. There is instability everywhere,” said the BNP acting chairman.

He said the main responsibility of this interim government is to help the people of the country make their decisions, to make arrangements for it, to help them make political decisions. “This should be their main goal,” he added.

Tarique Rahman said the government is deviating from its goal to some extent, which is reflected in different talks and remarks of the government’s different persons.

“They are probably deviating from their goal to some extent in some cases. Confusion is being created from the various statements of different persons. Confusion is being created in different areas. Naturally, when there is instability in politics, confusion will be created,” he said.

“If we cannot ensure political stability, then no matter how many reforms we announce, no matter how many policies we adopt - none of them will be successful,” he added.

The BNP leader said the main goal of the interim government and everyone should be to restore a stable situation as soon as possible in the country.

The longer we delay in making the parliament functional, the restlessness, debate and controversy will spread, which ultimately causes instability everywhere including the economy and society as well as brings harm to the country as a whole.

About the 31-point reform proposal, Tarique said it is a sacred responsibility for BNP to bring reform in the state structures as the party placed the (31-point) reform proposal first before the country and its people this time.

He said the 31-point reform proposal is not much different from what reform proposals this interim government placed.

“Since we, BNP, raised this reform proposal first, made the commitment to the people of Bangladesh, to make it successful or to fulfill this promise in a phased manner. This is our sacred responsibility. If this sacred responsibility has to be fulfilled in a phased manner in terms of reality, of course, we need a parliament,” he said.

The BNP acting chairman said there should be an election where the people of Bangladesh will be able to give their true judgment. And a parliament should be formed on the basis of the results of a transparent and neutral election. “If so, that parliament will be able to turn reforms into reality,” he said.