DHAKA, Nov 14, 2024 (BSS) – Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today said if BNP is voted to power, it will ensure the people's empowerment and partnership in the politics.

“During Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime, we saw politics of so-called development, which was based on corruption, misrule and criminalization,” he said. 

 “On the other hand, if BNP forms the government with people's mandate, you will witness the politics of people's empowerment and partnership in the light of our 31 points. Our state governance will focus on the rule of law, human rights and freedom of speech,” said the BNP acting chairman. 

Tarique Rahman made the remarks while virtually addressing a discussion titled “An outline for reformation of state structure: reforms in light of the 31 points” as the chief guest at a city hotel here with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair.

The BNP acting chairman said, “We all want to build a country where fascism or dictatorship would never raise its head again. We all want an independent and sovereign Bangladesh, where no one will take away the rights and freedom of the people. We all want a safe and secured Bangladesh, where people's aspirations will be reflected, and an elected and accountable government will ensure people's ownership and partnership”.

BNP wants to make sure that in future Bangladesh, no one, not even the Prime Minister, will be able to abuse power by being arbitrary, he said, adding, from the highest level of the state to every level of the government, it will be ensured that no one is above the accountability and the law.

Leaders of different democratic political parties, BNP leaders including its National Standing Committee members, diplomats, civil society members and media personalities joined the event.

Tarique Rahman said, “If we can come up with a rules-based state structure, private investments and private capital from all over the world will come to Bangladesh at its own pace. It will work hand in hand with our public sector and play a vital role in the country’s production and development”.

If BNP gets the responsibility of governing the state, he said, the party will restore the freedom of expression of every citizen irrespective of opinions and party affiliation just like two decades ago when the media in Bangladesh could fearlessly criticize the government and publish cartoons during the BNP government.

“But in the last 16 years, freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of association of myself, my party and the pro-democracy forces that meant yours have been completely snatched away. Upholding that realization, we will ensure freedom of expression for all citizens, especially for human rights activists, journalists, and social influencers, In Sha Allah,” he added.

The BNP acting chairman said in the last 16 years many extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, excessive use of force, filing politically motivated cases and holding trials, mass arrests without warrants and gross violation of human rights took place in the country.

If BNP is voted to power, he said, the party will make its best efforts to eliminate these issues and to ensure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of every citizen in accordance with the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Like the previous times, BNP leaders and activists also stood by the people and helped them with the maximum organizational strength this year during the flood, Tarique Rahman said, adding, they are trying to provide sincere support to the families of those who embraced martyrdom and sustained injuries during in the uprising.

The party leaders and activists are also trying to accelerate the people-oriented and social-friendly politics, he said. 

Noting that false cases were filed against BNP’s 60 lakh leaders and activists, the BNP acting chairman said, “Whenever anyone was involved in any crime in isolated way by using the name of such a huge organization, we took quick organizational action against him or her as soon as we came to know about it”. 

After August 5, when the law and order situation deteriorated in the country in the absence of police, he said at that time, BNP stood by the general people, safeguarded the country, ensured public safety and stability of the state. 

Tarique Rahman said without engaging in the politics of revenge, BNP resisted violence and ensured coexistence.

The BNP acting chairman said BNP's policy is to ensure equal rights and security for every citizen instead of considering anyone as so-called ‘minority’ in the independent Bangladesh.

"The ideology of nationalism is the politics of BNP. We believe that religion, party and opinion belong to individuals, but the state belongs to all," he added.

Our 31 points will redefine the socio-economic development of Bangladesh and show the ray of hopes to the people who want to change, Tarique Rahman said, adding that this framework of repairing the state structure is based on the 19 points of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Vision 2030 of Desh Netri Begum Khaleda Zia and the 27 points of BNP, which later turned into the 31 points.

"Almost all reform proposals, which are now being discussed in the country, are included in our 31 points. I think reform refers to not only change of a few sentences of the Constitution, but the change of fate of the people," he said.

The 31 points can be inducted, subtracted, rearranged or modified to cope with the environment and situation of the country and the people's needs, the BNP acting chairman said, adding, but it will be based on the opinions of the stakeholders and public opinion.

The main purpose of politics is not only becoming empowerment, rather, it is an integral part of state development and reflection of the people's aspirations, he said, adding, "We, who are gathered here today and always think about the Bangladesh's development at home and abroad, have to build an inclusive, liberal and democratic Bangladesh".

Apart from the students, many political parties, organizations and individuals were involved in the anti-fascist movement during the last 16 years and in the July-August uprising, Tarique Rahman said.

"Our concerted priority is to establish a truly democratic Bangladesh with the people's mandate, recognizing the sacrifices of every pro-democratic individual, party, organization and group and restoring the snatched voting rights," he added.