Muktadesh Desk: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged, ‘The country’s current crisis has been created by the interim government and the consensus commission. They have betrayed and cheated the people.’
He made these comments at a discussion meeting on the anniversary of the founding of JSD at the National Press Club on Friday (October 31).
Addressing the interim government, the BNP Secretary General said, ‘The commission that you have created has discussed various issues of consensus for almost a year and eight-nine months. We agreed on many issues regarding reforms and various issues. We gave a ‘note of dissent’ due to differences on a few issues. That is, even though we had differences, we reached a consensus on the main issue, that is the rule. When we go to the elections, these issues will be in the manifesto. If the people vote for us, we will bring those issues forward, pass them in parliament and bring about change in the country. And if they don’t vote, it will be dropped.’
Alleging that the interim government betrayed the people, he further said, ‘The day the consensus document was submitted, I remember, it was raining that day – the 17th. Before that, everything was in disarray again. We again agreed with all the political parties and signed it in the rain holding umbrellas. But when it was presented to the chief advisor of the interim government, many differences were seen. Especially the ‘notes of dissent’ that we had given were not mentioned. So we said – ‘It’s a breach of trust’, they have broken that bridge of trust. They have betrayed the people.’
Mirz Fakhrul said, ‘They have deceived the people. They have not kept the credibility that we expected. Therefore, the responsibility for the current political crisis lies with the interim government.’
Referring to the BNP reform party, he said, ‘We want to say one thing very clearly – the BNP reform party. BNP was born through reforms. In 1979, martyred President Ziaur Rahman founded BNP to establish a multi-party democracy from a single-party regime. At that time, all newspapers were closed, he opened them, and established the fundamental rights of the people.’
The BNP Secretary General further said, ‘Political reforms, economic reforms – all were started by Shaheed Zia. Later, national leader Begum Khaleda Zia returned from the presidential system to the parliamentary system. Although we did not accept it at first, she was the one who elected and brought the majority and included the caretaker government system in the constitution. Four acceptable elections have been held under that system.’
He further said, ‘Those who say BNP does not want reforms are misleading the nation. BNP has always been in favor of reforms. First it gave 10 points, then 27 points, then 31 points – all for reforms. We have been present at every meeting, discussed, and finally signed a consensus document. If there is confusion, it comes from the people in charge of the consensus commission.’
Regarding the election and referendum, Mirza Fakhrul also said, ‘We will hold elections, we want to hold elections. We agree with the announcement of the chief advisor of the interim government. But today, a group has risen up to thwart that election, they are spreading confusion.’
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, and Nurul Haque Nur, president of the People’s Rights Council, among others, spoke at the discussion meeting.
