BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday said his party, if returns to power, will build Bangladesh so that no one, not even the Prime Minister, can abuse power or emerge as an autocrat.
Speaking virtually at a seminar from London, he also said their party will transform the country into a democratic and humane nation, ensuring people’s basic human rights, freedom of expression and press freedom.
“We want to ensure, and will do our utmost, so that no person, not even the Prime Minister, will be able to abuse power and become a dictator in future Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said, adding: “We want balance of power between legislative, judicial and executive departments. We want to introduce a bicameral parliamentary system to ensure representation and participation of the intellectuals of the society in the governance of the state.”
He also said from the highest levels of the state to every level of government, accountability and the rule of law would be upheld, ensuring that no one is above the law.
Despite differences in political ideologies, Tarique Rahman noted that a unity had already been forged among democratic political parties in the country to build a democratic Bangladesh.
“We are all united in our commitment to rebuild Bangladesh in such a way that autocrats or fascists will never be able to raise their heads again,” he said.
Tarique also expressed the BNP’s vision of a Bangladesh where no one could infringe upon the rights and freedoms of any citizen. “We all want a safe and secure Bangladesh where people's aspirations are reflected, and where an elected and accountable government ensures people's ownership and participation.”
During Sheikh Hasina's fascism, the BNP leader said, the nation had witnessed the so-called politics of development, which was primarily based on corruption, misrule, and criminalisation.
“In contrast, if BNP forms the government through the people's vote, you will witness the politics of people's empowerment and partnership, guided by our 31-point outline. Rule of law, human rights and freedom of speech will be the basis of our state governance,” he assured.
The BNP organised a seminar on its 31-point outline for the reform of the state structure at a city hotel. Diplomats from various foreign missions stationed in Dhaka, members of civil society, and representatives from different political parties attended the seminar.
Speaking at the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said his party, along with over 50 other parties, had prepared the 31-point state reform proposal during the simultaneous movement against the fascist regime of Sheikh Hasina.
He noted that the interim government, formed following the ousting of Hasina's regime, has already established various commissions to oversee state reforms.
“We believe the reform proposals that may emerge from these commissions will closely align with the 31-point outline. Therefore, we have decided to present the 31-point framework to the public once again,” the BNP leader said.
On July 13, 2023, the BNP unveiled a 31-point outline aimed at "reforming" the constitution and state system, as well as ensuring the economic emancipation of the people. This proposal was developed in consultation with other parties that had participated in the simultaneous movement against the Awami League government.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
