Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has affirmed its commitment to prolong the ongoing movement following the conclusion of the 12th National Parliament elections.
In a unanimous decision, BNP, along with its allied parties, resolved to persist in their agitation, steadfastly advocating for the government's resignation as their primary demand.
Simultaneously, like-minded alliances have joined forces in this sustained movement, pledging to uphold the one-point demand even in the wake of the formation of the new cabinet post the 12th National Parliament elections. The call for the annulment of the January 7 election has also been incorporated into the protest's objectives.
Scheduled to commence later this month, nine divisional gatherings of BNP, including Dhaka, are anticipated to amplify the collective voice of dissent.
Contrastingly, BNP remains resolute in its decision to abstain from participating in the upcoming upazila elections. The party plans to persist in its legal endeavors to secure the release of incarcerated leaders and workers, a stance confirmed by sources within the party's policy-making circles.
In the results of the assessment of the success and failure of the vote and the movement, the BNP sees the response of the common people to the boycott call as an unprecedented success, even though there is some deficiency in the formulation and implementation of the movement program. The decision to continue the movement is based on that.
BNP has planned rallies in nine organizational districts of the country including the capital Dhaka. In addition to BNP's own program, a simultaneous program may also be announced before the first session of the 12th National Parliament begins.
Member of the BNP standing committee, Abdul Moin Khan said, "There is a movement going on to overthrow the government." This democratic movement will continue until we can return the aspirations of the people of the country, we will not leave the streets.
He said, “No other system will work in the country except democracy. This government is in power by the force of the body and the barrel of the gun. Not only us, different media and states of the world are aware of this farce election.”
A policy decision has already been taken to hold a huge 'showdown' through a rally in the capital Dhaka. The leaders of the surrounding districts have also been asked to prepare to ensure the participation of maximum number of leaders and workers in this peaceful gathering.
On Thursday night, the virtual meeting of the party's standing committee under the chairmanship of BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman took a policy decision regarding the rally in nine organizational divisional cities apart from Dhaka. BNP wants to hold this rally in at least two-three divisions including Dhaka before the first session of the 12th National Parliament begins. Two members of the standing committee held a virtual meeting with the leaders of all organizational districts on Friday. They are given clear instructions to make all kinds of preparations.
According to sources, before the commencement of the first session of the 12th National Parliament, at least three to four divisions may be convened. The date will be finalized by Sunday. The rally may be started from Dhaka or Rajshahi. However, from wherever it is first started, the main focus of BNP will be on the rally in the capital Dhaka.
Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, joint secretary general of BNP, told Bangladesh Pratidin that BNP will not leave the field until the government's resignation demand is met. The movement will continue.
He said that the recent movement of BNP has been 100 percent successful. Once again they will go to the field and carry out all systematic programs to get their demands. There is also pressure from the pro-democracy international world. All in all, this illegal government cannot stay in power.
BNP Central Organizing Secretary Advocate Abdus Salam Azad told Bangladesh Pratidin that people have given a clear message by boycotting the January 7 vote - they are with the BNP movement.
He said that the people will be involved in the movement for their demands by starting the program before the first session of the illegal parliament.
BNP will not participate in the upazila elections: BNP will not participate in the upcoming upazila elections. The party has taken the decision not to participate in all types of elections, including national and local, but the party is still sticking to the same decision. No one will take part in this election under the identity of the party.
But if a local leader contests personally as an independent candidate, he can be outright expelled from the party (officially). No stricter organizational measures will be taken against him this time.
However, a decision will be taken later on whether the BNP will go to the local elections as a party or not, Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of the party's standing committee, said.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on January 21 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
