Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chair Tarique Rahman on Saturday said that among the political parties participating in the National Consensus Commission discussions for reforms, only the BNP had experience in running the country and, therefore, the party’s consent and criticisms were based on experiences and its understanding of what might or might not benefit the nation.
While addressing a view-exchange meeting with family members of those martyred and injured in the July uprising, organised by Chhatra Dal at Lakeshore Hotel in the city, Tarique said that some people, including sections of the media, were trying to claim that the BNP did not accept certain things.
‘As the BNP has a sense of responsibility and experiences, it has agreed to whatever it believes is good for the country and its people based on that experience. We believe that matters can be resolved through discussion in parliament, and the party has presented its proposals accordingly,’ he said.
Regarding the July Declaration, Tarique said that while it was being discussed openly elsewhere, no one from the government was talking about it.
He questioned why the government had remained silent on the matter despite the BNP communicating its stance on the issue to the government three months earlier, adding that why some parties were attempting to misrepresent the entire issue.
Tarique alleged that a new conspiracy was under way, echoing warnings he first voiced seven to eight months ago. He said that many conscientious and patriotic individuals now shared his concerns.
Reaffirming the BNP’s core principles, Tarique stated that the party had always believed in democracy, the independence of Bangladesh, the sovereignty of its people and the nation, and in the right of every citizen to freely expressing their views.
In a reference to the Jamaat-e-Islami other political parties, Tarique criticised the historical role of certain political parties during the Liberation War, saying that when the BNP’s founder, Ziaur Rahman, called for independence, it became evident who had opposed the country’s liberation and whom they had supported.
Indicating the Awami League, he said that although some political groups were responsible for mobilising the people, their leaders instead fled to and took refuge in a neighboring country.
Tarique remarked that some parties now seemed to be singing the songs of distant countries, while others appeared to be aligning themselves with neighbouring nations.
It seems, he said, apart from the BNP, most other political parties were now echoing the voices of foreign interests.
Tarique vowed that, given the opportunity, the BNP would ensure justice for every murder that took place in July and August, as well as for all killings over the past 15 years.
