BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday called upon the interim government to manifest its commitment to ensuring people's voting rights through a credible election in a bid to strengthen ties with people and build their trust.
He warned that people will not tolerate it if they find the incompetence of the government in running the country.
Tarique addressed the concluding session of the 3rd National Council of the Jatiyatabadi Textile Engineers Association of Bangladesh as the chief guest at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.
"The interim government has already taken an initiative to restructure the Election Commission. People expect to cast their votes freely, without fear, in a neutral and transparent environment and to elect their representatives," Tarique said.
The BNP leader said the relationship between the government and the people will grow stronger if the public can maintain their confidence in it.
"When people will see that the government is genuinely working to uphold their voting and other fundamental rights, their trust in the government will naturally deepen."
He said all the evil efforts of plotters will go in vain if the interim government can meet even the minimum of the people's demands.
“If the political and economic empowerment of the people is not ensured, then no matter what we call democracy, development, or reform, none of it will be sustainable," Tarique said.
He also said the main tool of a citizen's political power is the right to vote. "If people are not allowed to exercise their right to vote, their relationship and partnership with the state will not be established."
Tarique said the deposed autocrats and their associates, both within the country and abroad, as well as elements within the administration, are actively working to fail the interim government.
"If they succeed in undermining this government, they will also fail democracy and the millions of Bangladeshis who cherish democratic values," the BNP leader said.
In such a situation, he said, some decisions of the interim government appear to ignore the people's aspirations, instead imposing what they believe is best for the public.
"Despite numerous dissatisfactions and shortcomings, the people wish to maintain their trust in the government. But does the government want that? If the trust between the government and people is strong and close, the conspirators will not succeed in spreading their plots," he said.
Tarique also called on BNP leaders and activists to preserve the party's image by refraining from any wrongdoings and standing firm against any form of injustice.
Speaking at the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the country is facing a very critical time.
"We must navigate this period with great caution."
He urged the interim government to quickly complete the necessary electoral reforms to ensure credible and acceptable elections, in line with the people's wishes.
BNP Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, among others, addressed the programme, with Jatiyatabadi Textile Engineers Association of Bangladesh President Fakhrul Alam in the chair.
bd-pratidin/GR
