Top leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are concerned that removing the president Mohammed Shahabuddin could trigger a constitutional crisis. They fear that if BNP calls for a ban on the Awami League or any political party, the current interim government would be exempt from responsibility. The party believes the government has the power to remove the president at any time, given the ongoing controversy surrounding him. Additionally, the BNP worries that the Awami League could be banned under various existing laws. As a result, the BNP is determined not to take responsibility for either issue. Party leaders suspect a deep conspiracy at play involving both matters and do not want to see the government shift the blame onto them.
The BNP is committed to ensuring the success of the government under all circumstances. A failure of the interim government would prevent the goals of the July revolution from being realized and threaten the progress of democracy. For this reason, the BNP will not assume responsibility for these two critical issues. This information was confirmed in discussions with BNP policymakers.
Several members of the party's standing committee have stated that the BNP will not take responsibility for the removal of the president or the banning of the Awami League. They view both issues as part of a broader conspiracy against the country and its government. The party opposes any anti-national plots and is committed to preventing a constitutional vacuum. BNP stands firmly against a constitutional crisis that could arise from the president's removal, and rejects any attempts by parties to exploit the situation for political gain.
In contrast, the country's largest political party opposes banning any political group, including the Awami League. Senior leaders of the party assert that following the collapse of the fascist regime, Sheikh Hasina fled the country, but her supporters, both domestic and international, have continued their plotting. Many individuals within the country remain sidelined from key positions. These forces seek to create chaos and instability by raising such issues, aiming to obstruct the progress of democracy and the core objectives of the July revolution. The BNP is determined to prevent this from happening, ensuring that conspirators will not be given the opportunity to undermine the nation, democracy, or the interim government.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir responded to calls for banning the Awami League, stating, "BNP does not support banning political parties." He dismissed the demand as part of a broader conspiracy, emphasizing, "Who are we to ban political parties? The people will decide." Alamgir warned that such rhetoric was designed to create uncertainty and instability in the country, turning non-issues into controversies. He urged the interim government to avoid making hasty decisions and called on everyone to stay vigilant against these conspiracies.
The chief advisor to the interim government on the issue of banning the Awami League, Muhammad Yunus, recently stated in an interview with India's influential daily The Hindu that he has no objections to the Awami League participating as a party in the upcoming national elections. The BNP also advocates for the inclusion of all political parties in the elections, signaling the BNP's position as a major political force. Dr. Yunus emphasized, "We cannot ignore the opinion of a large group."
BNP Standing Committee member and former minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain spoke to Bangladesh Pratidin about the issue of removing the president and banning the Awami League. He stated, "We still view the interim government as a non-party, neutral entity. It is their duty to uphold the constitution and address any demands that arise. However, the constitution's integrity must be maintained. No action should be taken that could lead to a constitutional crisis in the country."
Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of the BNP's standing committee and former ambassador, urged caution in a statement to Bangladesh Pratidin, warning against actions that could trigger a new constitutional and political crisis. He emphasized that the removal of the President should not lead to a constitutional vacuum or instability in the country.
Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the party's standing committee, stated that the BNP does not seek the president's removal at this time. Doing so would delay the National Assembly elections, which the BNP believes would hinder the country's democratic transition.
Several unnamed party policymakers suggest that the BNP sees a conspiracy behind the president's removal. While openly discussing the creation of a constitutional vacuum, the party believes political maneuvering is at play. This fear is driving the BNP's strong support for the president. In response, the party has resolved to remain vigilant and take a firm stance against any perceived conspiracy.
The question arises: which constitutional process would remove the president, and for what purpose? Is there an unseen hand trying to delay the election under the guise of presidential removal? After considering these concerns, BNP leaders have taken a firm stance against the idea.
BNP Joint Secretary General and Narsingdi District Convener, Khairul Kabir Khokon, stated, "There is a demand to ban the Awami League, but we oppose such a move. We do not believe in banning politics. BNP wants all political opponents to participate in the election. The people are with us, and we are not afraid. We do not want to score goals in an empty field."
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
