Rizvi questions reforms over elections, suspects ‘hidden agenda’

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday questioned why reforms are being considered instead of elections, expressing concern that the interim government might be working with a ‘hidden agenda’.

“Is this government working with any agenda and planned design? This is now a big question in people's minds. That is why a smokescreen has been created,” he said while addressing a doa mahfil.

The M Ilias Ali Ghum Protirodh Committee organised the event on the ground floor of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, marking the anniversary of his enforced disappearance and seeking any trace of the BNP leader.

Rizvi warned the government that the consequences would not be good if it played tricks with people.

He also expressed regret that, even after nine months since the formation of the current government, no steps have been taken to relieve BNP leaders and activists from the 60 lakh cases filed against them during the Awami League regime.

“I won’t say the government is doing nothing—maybe they are doing something—but why is the voting right, for which we struggled immensely for 15–16 years, being delayed? Why is reform being positioned as an alternative to elections and voting rights?” the BNP leader questioned.

He said reforms or anything else cannot be an alternative to democracy, elections, and voting rights.

“When we talk about the need for elections and voting rights, the government keeps presenting more alternatives. Democracy means elections. Democracy means justice,” Rizvi said.

He said political parties are in talks with the Consensus Commission on reforms as the process nears its end. “But why is Bangladesh’s election still hanging between the December and June swings? The government must clearly answer this,” the BNP leader said.

He alleged that many cohorts of the previous regime still hold positions within the administration and no action is being taken against them, reports UNB.

On the contrary, Rizvi claimed, no one having any links with the BNP is being placed in key positions within the administration.