BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday urged the interim government not to take any step that would facilitate the rehabilitation of fleeing autocrats in the country.

“I would like to draw the attention of the interim government and reiterate that no steps should be taken to allow the fugitive autocrats and their cohorts to be rehabilitated in the state and politics,” he said while addressing an iftar party virtually.

BNP hosted the iftar party at the Ladies Club in the city’s Eskaton area in honour of various professionals.

Tarique also stressed the importance of maintaining national unity against fascism for the greater good of the nation.

“By turning a minor issue into the main focus in the political arena, doubts and suspicions have been, or are being, inadvertently created within the anti-fascist national unity,” he observed.

In a context where thousands of crores of money looted from the state remain unrecovered, the BNP leader said holding local body elections before the national election would create an opportunity for the rehabilitation of fugitive autocrats and their associates, who are still lurking in the country.

He pointed out that around three crore young voters were denied the right to vote during the one-and-a-half decades of Sheikh Hasina's mafia rule.

“To ensure the political empowerment of these voters, the national election must be held first in the country,” Tarique said.

He also observed that no reforms would be sustainable without the political empowerment of the country’s people.

The BNP leader said the way reforms and elections are being pitted against each other is undoubtedly politically motivated. “To those who advocate for holding national elections only after completing reforms, I want to say that reform never ends. It is a continuous process,” he said.

The BNP leader said the current constitution of the country, which was arbitrarily amended by the fugitive autocrats and transformed into their party’s constitution, clearly states that the national parliament shall be formed by the direct vote of people.

“Despite this explicit provision in the constitution, during the rule of the fugitive fascist government, the people of Bangladesh and the entire world repeatedly witnessed how the national parliament was formed without the people’s vote. The fugitive autocratic government did not adhere to the constitution,” he said.

For this reason, Tarique said his party believes that in democratic politics, the practical application of democratic political rights and conduct is more important than textbook reforms. “Only through the people’s democratic practices can reforms become sustainable, successful and effective.”

He acknowledged the undeniable role and contribution of noted citizens, civil society, and professionals in the country. “Much of the good and bad of the state and politics depends on the patriotism of politicians and their policies in governing the state. In this regard, the more effective the role of distinguished citizens and professionals in the state and society, the more responsible and powerful the political government becomes.”

Tarique likened politics to the roof of a well-organised and united house, where civil society and professionals are the pillars or supports of that house. “In a state, politicians, civil society, and professionals are complementary to one another.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the country is currently going through a very difficult time. “An interim government was formed after defeating and ousting a brutal fascist government through a massive student-led mass uprising. The entire nation is now awaiting the formation of a new democratic parliament and government with great expectation.”

During this challenging time, he called upon all to play a responsible role from their respective positions and move forward with patience and peace. “Those of us involved in politics, those in various professions, and those associated with the government or the public in any way should speak and act in such a way that it opens up opportunities for the advancement of democracy.”

Fakhrul urged all democratic forces to work towards building a new, democratic Bangladesh through realistic thoughts.

“It is now crucial to hold the national election very quickly to resolve the crisis. Completing the necessary reforms for the election and then conducting the election will be the wisest course of action. At this moment, carrying out that wise action seems to be the best approach,” he said.