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Reform and Election Key to State Transformation: Tarique Rahman
Rtv News
01 Jan 2025, 19:35
Photo: Collected
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that both reform and election are essential for the qualitative transformation of the state, politics, and political parties. Through elections, people exercise their voting rights, which ensures their political power within the state.
He made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting on the occasion of the 46th founding anniversary of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, held on Wednesday afternoon at the Engineers’ Institution in the capital.
Tarique Rahman stated, “Questions such as ‘reform or election?’ raised by certain quarters are seen by the BNP and all patriotic political parties as mere dishonest debates. The BNP believes that both reform and election are necessary for the qualitative transformation of the state, politics, and political parties. Reform is an inevitable and continuous process to make the existing system timely. Similarly, elections are the most effective method for sustaining democratic systems and ensuring accountability.”
He added that, in the BNP’s view, unless the political and economic power of the people is ensured, democracy, human rights, or even documented reforms cannot be sustainable. The interim government has undertaken several significant reform initiatives. While reform activities are undoubtedly necessary, if these initiatives exacerbate the daily struggles of the people, they may be compelled to voice their discontent with the government’s reform agenda. Already, questions have arisen among the public: What steps has the government taken to dismantle the market syndicates formed during the era of an exiled autocrat and restore purchasing power? Why are people still compelled to run to courts over the countless cases filed during the fascist regime?
He further warned that if the interim government fails in implementing its reform plans, conspirators will seize the opportunity to undermine the spirit of the 2024 mass uprising. These conspirators have already made multiple attempts to create instability in the country.
The discussion was presided over by Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib, with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attending as a special guest. The event was moderated by Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, with speeches delivered by central BNP leaders and former Chhatra Dal leaders.
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BNP's Three Wings to March Toward Indian Embassy Today
In protest against the attack, vandalism, and desecration of the Bangladeshi national flag at the Assistant High Commission in Agartala, India, as well as alleged conspiracies to incite communal unrest, three organizations of the BNP—Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal (Youth Front), Swechchhasebak Dal (Volunteers' Front), and Chhatra Dal (Students' Front)—will hold a march and submit a memorandum to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka today.
The program will begin at 10:00 AM on Sunday, December 8, in front of the BNP's central office in Naya Paltan. Earlier, on Saturday, December 7, this information was announced in a press release.
According to sources from the three BNP organizations, leaders and activists will start the march from the BNP's central office at Naya Paltan at 10:00 AM and proceed towards the Indian High Commission in Baridhara.
Following the march, a memorandum will be submitted to the Indian High Commission on behalf of Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal. The three organizations will jointly execute this program.
An appeal has been made for the spontaneous participation of leaders and activists from all levels of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal in this program.
Tarique Calls for Unity to Restore Democracy: Fakhrul
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged all to work together with patience to establish democracy in the country.
"A huge victory has come through the student-people mass uprising. To make this victory fruitful and successful, everyone must keep patience and work together. Through this, democracy will be re-established," he said while talking to the journalists at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on return home from London.
Everyone must prepare for the first step of democracy, which is the election, he said, adding that everyone must keep patience and work together in this regard.
The BNP Secretary General said, "The purpose for which I went to London has been fruitful. I met with party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. I have talked to expatriate Bangladeshis and BNP leaders and also attended various meetings organized by them."
"The London visit has been fruitful," he added.
As the journalists asked him when the acting chairman of the party may return to the country, Fakhrul said that there are many false cases against him.
Tarique Rahman will return to the country once his legal issues are solved, he said.
In response to another question, the BNP Secretary General said, "The political parties are supporting the interim government led by Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus. We expect that the government will follow the path of holding elections after completing the minimum reforms that are necessary."
The BNP Secretary General went to London with his wife Rahat Ara Begum on November 30. His flight landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:45pm today.
While staying in London, he met with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and also participated in several party programmes. His wife Rahat Ara Begum underwent a health check-up and took advice of the physicians concerned.
BNP leaders Farhad Hossain Azad, Abu Mohammad Ahsan Firoz, Sadi Ahmed, and BNP Media Cell Member Shairul Kabir Khan were present to welcome the BNP Secretary General at the airport.
(Source: BSS)
U.S. State Department Report: / Awami League Portrayed Political Opponents as 'Terrorists'
The U.S. State Department has reported that while no international terrorist incidents occurred in Bangladesh in 2023, the Awami League government frequently portrayed the activities of political opponents as akin to terrorism.
This information was detailed in the State Department's annual report on "terrorist" activities worldwide, published on Thursday, December 12.
The report noted that Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies maintained a strong stance against militant groups, particularly Ansarullah Bangla Team (an Al-Qaeda affiliate) and Neo-JMB (a group linked to ISIS). However, it also highlighted allegations of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations by some segments of Bangladesh’s security forces.
Additionally, the report mentioned an attack by the armed group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region that claimed the lives of three soldiers in 2023.
Online extremism was flagged as a concern in Bangladesh, with the report citing the December arrest of two members of the banned group Hizb ut-Tahrir, accused of organizing an online conference.
Furthermore, the report acknowledged that in 2023, the Bangladesh government replaced the controversial Digital Security Act of 2018 with the Cyber Security Act, which gave the police enhanced authority to curb online terrorist activities.
Tarique Rahman Expresses Solidarity with South Korea’s Democracy Movement
Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of Bangladesh’s opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has voiced strong support for the people of South Korea as they continue their pro-democracy struggle. In a statement released on social media, Rahman drew parallels between South Korea’s fight for democratic governance and Bangladesh’s decade-long battle against what he described as a ‘repressive regime.’
“Standing in solidarity with the courageous people of South Korea as they continue their stand for democracy,”Rahman wrote, acknowledging the shared experience of confronting political oppression. “In Bangladesh, we have endured a repressive regime for over a decade, and so we deeply understand the pain, resilience, and resolve it takes to confront oppression.”
Rahman also criticized the misuse of democratic mechanisms by elected governments, calling it a challenge faced by both nations. “Both our nations know the dangers of elected governments exploiting democratic loopholes for their own purposes,” he said. However, he emphasized the resilience of ordinary citizens, stating that the successes of pro-democracy movements in both countries underscore the unyielding power of a determined populace.
Rahman urged political leaders and citizens to remain vigilant to prevent future threats to democracy. “By building strong democratic institutions, we can protect the rights of our people and secure a just and free society,” he added.
The BNP leader’s comments come at a time of heightened political tension in Bangladesh, where opposition parties, including the BNP, have accused Awami League government of stifling dissent and undermining democratic norms. Rahman, who has lived in exile in London since 2008, remains a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s opposition politics.
Rahman’s message also signals a broader call for international solidarity among nations striving to preserve democratic principles. With hashtags like #Democracy, #Bangladesh, and #SouthKorea, his statement has sparked discussion on the interconnectedness of global democratic movements.
The pro-democracy struggle in South Korea, which has captured international attention, serves as a poignant reminder of the shared challenges and hopes of democracy advocates worldwide.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Announces Program for Victory Day
On the occasion of the Great Victory Day, the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has announced nationwide programs for December 16. This information was conveyed in a press release issued on Saturday (December 14) by JCD Office Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam.
The press release stated that December 16 marks the Great Victory Day. To commemorate the day, JCD will organize Victory Rallies with the national flag at all educational institutions under its district, metropolitan, university, college, upazila, thana, and municipal branches across the country.
Leaders and activists of the organization have been instructed to participate in these programs. The directive was issued by JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir.
Tarique Rahman Urges Unity and Reform in Victory Day Message
In his Victory Day message, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman called for celebrating the occasion free from "fascism" and urged reforms to establish a truly democratic Bangladesh.
“This Victory Day, celebrated in an environment free from fascism, is certainly more joyful and significant,” Rahman said in a statement on social media. He expressed hope that future observances would reflect a stronger commitment from the state to the welfare of its people.
Rahman emphasized the need for unity and structural reforms, warning against complacency. “We must harness this unity to build a Bangladesh free from discrimination and division,” he said, adding that empowering the people is crucial for sustainable national unity.
The opposition leader criticized past governance practices and called for transparency from the interim government. He urged it to share a clear roadmap with objectives and timelines, asserting, “The people have the right to know the interim government’s practical roadmap.”
Central to his vision is a parliament composed of genuinely elected representatives. “A parliament reflecting the aspirations of the people serves as the cornerstone of democratic governance,” Rahman stated. He underscored the importance of harmony between an accountable government and a functional parliament for sustainable democracy.
Rahman’s Victory Day remarks combined celebration with a call for reform, unity, and accountability, highlighting the enduring challenges in fostering a democratic system that empowers the people.
Conspirators have Placed Agents into BNP: Tarique Rahman
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today said conspiracy against the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh has not stopped, it continues.
“The conspirators have also inserted agents into the BNP. Therefore, everyone must be on alert. The conspirators must be resisted with an iron hand,” he said while virtually addressing three workshops on 31-points for repairing the state structure in Gazipur, Dhaka and Naryanganj this afternoon.
BNP chairperson’s adviser Ismail Jabiullah, Dhaka division organizing secretary Kazi Saieydul Alam Babul, media cell member Mahmuda Habiba, BNP executive member Abdus Sattar Patowari, assistant health secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam Bacchu, assistant labour secretary Humayun Kabir Khan, Mayor Majibur Rahman and Aktarul Alam Master, among others, were present at the workshop with BNP Gazipur district unit president Fazlul Haque Milon in the chair. Its general secretary Shah Riazul Hannan conducted it.
Tarique Rahman said the main autocrat has fled. “But the tail of the body remains in the country. They are plotting deep conspiracies. They must be resisted with an iron hand. This is my instruction. The party's reputation and the people's trust cannot be destroyed," he said.
He said BNP leaders and activists have maintained the unity of the party and the trust of the people, despite facing many torture and sufferings over the past 17 years. Now, if anyone try to harm this trust and belief to achieve their own interests, they must be resisted, he added.
He said, "I can say with cent percent guarantee that the upcoming elections will be much tougher than any previous elections.”
Regarding the upcoming national election, Tarique Rahman warned party leaders and activists to not suffer from overconfidence.
“If anyone thinks there is no opponent or the opposition is weak, and the election will be easy, they are wrong. This election will be far tougher than any of the ones held in the past. So, prepare yourselves accordingly," he added.
The BNP acting chairman said BNP's significant public support has made it a target of envy for many political parties and individuals.
He said the countrymen are looking at the BNP. They have high expectations, he said, adding that when millions of people have expectations from a political party, the responsibility becomes much greater.
Tarique Rahman said people believe that only BNP can do something good. And this is the success of BNP, he added.
He said the greatest success of a political party is to earn the trust of the people. “It is the responsibility of all of us to maintain this trust,” he added.
He said, “We do not believe in dummy elections, ballot stuffing overnight, or rigged elections. We believe in free, fair, and transparent elections where people can vote freely without fear.”
The acting chairman of BNP said, "The 31-point must be taken to the marginalized people. We have to go to every citizen of the society for it."
(Source: BSS)
