RANGPUR, Nov 17, 2024 (BSS) – Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) central joint member-secretary Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad has said, with the change of government, extortionists have changed but the extortion culture has not changed.
 
“Only the list of extortionists has changed everywhere. Under the political umbrella, all the markets, bus stands, ferry piers and hawker markets across Bangladesh have been occupied. We do not do politics of occupation,” he said.

He said this at a ‘Meet the Press’ programme, organised by Rangpur metropolitan unit of AB Party at the Rangpur Public Library Hall here this afternoon.

Referring to the complex issue of proportional representation elections in the present context of the country, Barrister Fuad said proportional representation elections will be difficult for people with little education and little understanding.
 
“However, elections can be held in this manner in some developed or more educated areas. We are in principle in favor of proportional representation elections. But further discussions are needed among political parties on the model, concept, timing and size of these elections,” he said.

Barrister Fuad said none of the 60 million youth who participated in the July 2024 Revolution demanded elections from the interim government.

The youth have demanded reforms from the government, he said, adding that this does not mean that this government will remain in power indefinitely.

 Barrister Fuad said, “This government will have to discuss with the youth, political parties, civil society representatives and various stakeholders. After that, the government will have to move towards reforms and elections.”

 Since the great war of liberation, the state structure has not collapsed like in 2024 in any changed context of the country.

“No institution is now effective. Administration, defense, local government and everything have collapsed. There is not even a minimum of elected representatives in the country. The government has taken power in such a reality,” he said.

 It is necessary to understand the challenge the interim government has taken to cross the broken mountains and its activities have not been very bad in the last 100 days.

Regarding border killings, Barrister Fuad said in the last 16 years, the Sheikh Hasina regime has not called the Indian High Commissioner to ask why Bangladeshi people died on the border.

 “But in the last three months, border killings have almost come down to zero level because the interim government is calling the Indian High Commissioner to ask about the killings on the border,” he said.

 AB Party central leaders Abdul Haque and Anwar Sadat Tutul, Rangpur district unit Member-secretary Enamul Haque and local leaders and activists of the party and its associated organizations were present.