BNP’s Salahuddin asks Jamaat
BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed today questioned why Jamaat is trying to delay the next election through various ploys, including through street agitation, if it is so confident about coming to power.
Speaking at a youth dialogue in the capital, he criticised Jamaat's demand for banning Jatiya Party and members of the 14-party alliance while protesting on the streets with another party that contested the January 7, 2024 election.
"There were a few rallies of Jamaat and other parties across the country yesterday [Friday]. Some newspapers carried headlines today saying that Jamaat leaders claimed they will form the government while BNP will sit in opposition. But who decides that? Is it you, or is it the people? If you are so confident, then why don't you join the election instead of making excuses one after another to obstruct it?" the BNP leader said.
He also said BNP knows what Jamaat's real purpose is -- to derail the national election.
Arpan Alok Sangha organised the 3rd dialogue on youth's state of thought titled, "Human Value-based Education and Campuses", at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh.
Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, also accused Jamaat of showing "double standards", saying the people are noticing who Jamaat has joined in its simultaneous movement for various demands, including the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system and calling for the ban of the 14-party alliance and Jatiya Party (JP).
"Among the seven parties [participating in Jamaat's movement], one is now your ally that took part in the sham election on January 7, 2024," he said without mentioning any names.
"If they become innocent just because they are with you, then what about the 28 others who took part in the dummy election with Awami League? Are they sinners?" Salahuddin said.
In a veiled reference to Islami Andolan Bangladesh, he said this party was also a partner of Awami League as it joined previous elections, except the 2024 one, held under Sheikh Hasina.
Salahuddin said differences of opinion are part of democracy and any party can take to the streets to realise its demands by exercising democratic rights.
"But we have been saying that these issues are still awaiting settlement at the negotiating table. So, are you taking to the streets to apply pressure? If you do, we will also have to take to the streets and counter it. Is that what we want now? We want these matters resolved at the negotiating table," he said.
Stating that Bangladesh's democratic culture has changed a lot following last year's mass uprising, the BNP leader said political parties should uphold it in practice.
Salahuddin said political parties need to remain united on national issues, including the country's interests, independence, sovereignty and democracy.
The BNP leader said some parties are talking about the PR system, but it is the people who will decide that.
He questioned whether some processions and rallies with a few thousand people would be enough to establish the PR system without public mandate.
He urged political parties to include their demands in their election manifestos and contest the polls. "If the people give their verdict in your favour, you can implement them. That is the democratic way."
