BNP standing committee member and former commerce minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said they’re committed to form a national government if they achieve victory in next national elections.
He said, “We’ve proposed 31-point plan for reform. More than 50 political parties also agreed with us in this accord. From the BNP, it has been said that we would form national government including everyone after the elections. Those who’re with 31-point and made the proposals will implement it with everyone’s united accord. It’s a big commitment as forming national government after elections is our commitment to the nation.”
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said this in an interview with The Bangladesh Pratidin.
During the interview, he spoke about the overall situation of the country, including politics, economy, the status of the interim government, the upcoming national elections, changes in the constitution, and reforms. The interview was taken by Bangladesh Pratidin's special correspondent Shafiul Alam Dolon.
Bangladesh Pratidin: What is the current overall political situation of the country? How is the country's economy going on?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: After the fall of the fascist government, the main issue in Bangladeshi politics now is to return to democracy. The movement of the past 15-16 years was against snatching people's rights, voting rights, human rights, rule of law, security of life as well as against price hike, corruption, and looting. Basically, at the root of everything was an unelected illegal and authoritative government. Since it was unelected, there was no vote from the people by which they came to the power. Therefore, a dictatorship or fascists have been created. The only way out of there is to return the ownership of the people. There must be a parliament and government elected by the people— a government that will be accountable to the people. There is enthusiasm among the people about the upcoming elections in the political arena. Especially the new generation, who could not exercise their voting rights in the last three or four elections. The situation that has been created due to the absence of voting rights has created this reality in Bangladeshi politics right now. To get out of here, the people want their voting rights; they want to get their ownership back. They want to see an elected parliament and government. In short, the people want a government who is responsible and accountable to people. Only through a free and fair election it will be possible to form such accountable government and parliament and return to democracy. Some reforms are needed in the meantime. However, reform is an ongoing process. Those reforms must be executed through a democratic process as reform is not a personal matter; rather it’s not a matter of any group. Reform is meant for the country and the reform process must be implemented in the light of the people's opinions. Reforms can be completed in a short time on those issues on which there is a national consensus. And where there is lack of consent or disagreement, those reforms can be done by the elected government later. It is possible to implement those changes through parliament with the mandate of the people.
Bangladesh Pratidin: What is your opinion on the announcement of the electoral roadmap by the interim government?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: We do not want to put any pressure on this government by setting a time limit for the elections. We are cooperating with them. We all have all supported the interim government so that they can start the democratic process with everyone's cooperation and hand over responsibility to an elected government as soon as possible through fair elections. This is highly important issue right now.
Bangladesh Pratidin: How do you see the government's reform activities? On which issues your party giving importance to reforms?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: Long before the reforms that are being discussed now, we, on behalf of BNP, proposed reforms. Although we initially proposed 27-point reforms a year and a half ago, we later proposed 31 points after discussing with the democratic political parties of the country. Even six years ago, BNP talked about reforms through Vision-2023. There is nothing to think much. Everyone in Bangladesh knows that reforms need to be initiated in the country. There may be some disagreement regarding it as different parties have different ideas. However, I think we all agreed on most of the issues. Therefore, the reforms that need to be made in the electoral process must be completed and the elections must be held. And reforms are an ongoing process. The reforms that will be implemented today may have to be canceled after a year. However, the reforms must be done in a timely manner and through a democratic process.
Bangladesh Pratidin: BNP has expressed its commitment to form a national government after the elections. How is this possible?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: We have talked about 31-point reforms. There is a consensus among those of us who are in the simultaneous movement on this issue. Political parties outside the simultaneous movement have also joined. A consensus has been formed with them in most cases. So, you see there is an issue of national consensus here. Around 50 parties are with us in this consensus. So, BNP is saying that after the elections, we will all form a national government together. Those of us who are with the 31 points and have listed them through discussions will all implement them together. This is a huge commitment. This is BNP's promise to the nation and a reflection of how serious we are.
Bangladesh Pratidin: How prepared are the political parties for the national elections? Should the interim government organize local government elections?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: This is like putting the cart before the horse. There is no elected government in the country, and you will go to the local government elections! There is a big gap between the local government elections under the elected government and the local government elections under the interim government. So, those who will form the government through the elections will hold these local government elections. Moreover, a lot of time will pass to hold these elections as there are a number of local government elections could be hold. These have to be done in various phages. The demand of the moment is to form an elected government in the country. So, after the formation of the national government, local elections can be done slowly and step by step.
Bangladesh Pratidin: In the current context, there is talk of changing in the constitution. What’s your opinion about it?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: Everyone is talking about changing the constitution. Changes can be made in those places where everyone has consensus. And the areas where there is no consensus will be done by the elected government with the mandate of the people. It should be left for the next parliament.
Bangladesh Pratidin: How the police force, judiciary, and Election Commission can be restructured and how it can be implemented?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: The Election Commission has been formed, now it and all those who will work on behalf of the Election Commission in the executive wing must be able to work independently. The police force and judiciary must be given the opportunity to work independently. Necessary reforms must be brought in. Of course, several reform commissions have been formed for this.
Bangladesh Pratidin: How do you see the student-public movement? What was the contribution of political parties including BNP in it?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: The BNP movement has been going on for 16/17 years. For 16 years, millions of false and baseless cases have been filed against 6 million BNP leaders and workers. Many have been killed and disappeared. Many have become disabled. They have died in police custody without getting treatment. They have lost their homes, as well as jobs and trade. BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is fighting for democracy even at the crossroads of life and death. She has been unjustly sent to jail with a view to take away people's democratic rights and voting rights in the long run. She was not even given the opportunity for medical treatment there. The biggest contribution of Begum Khaleda Zia: due to her strong and steadfast stance, the nation has gained courage and has been able to stand tough. Despite so much torture and oppression, BNP didn’t stop its fighting for democracy. The sacrifices made by BNP leaders and activists cannot be summed up. Even after the last 10/15 years of torture and oppression, no leader or activist of BNP has left the party. Such a party cannot be found anywhere. And Tarique Rahman himself is proof that leadership can be given and the nation can be united and motivated even from abroad. His sacrifices and contributions are also undeniable. Because the way he has brought the party to its current position by working relentlessly and holding online meetings is unparalleled.
Bangladesh Pratidin: BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said that both the upcoming elections and politics are tough challenges for BNP. What do you think?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: It is a tough challenge. The fascist Sheikh Hasina has taken Bangladesh to an unusual state in terms of elections, movements, and everything. It has completely destroyed politics.
To get out of there, we cannot continue with the old style of politics. We have to create a new trend. And Tarique Rahman has already done that and BNP has also embraced it. That is why we are on the right track. I hope there will be a major qualitative change in Bangladeshi politics in the coming days.
Bangladesh Pratidin: The leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement want to form a political party. What’s your view regarding it?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: It is everyone's right. Why only the anti-discrimination student movement, anyone else can do it if they want. We welcome everyone. What we have been fighting for against Sheikh Hasina's government for the last 16/17 years was for politics, for the right of people to speak, for freedom of expression. Let it bloom a hundred flowers! We see it positively. We have been fighting for this kind of freedom for so long.
Bangladesh Pratidin: Jamaat-e-Islami wants national elections using the proportional system. Do you or your party agree with it?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: There is no question of proportionality and we won’t agree with it. The Westminster Democracy that we practice is our political culture. The political culture that we have has to continue in that way.
Bangladesh Pratidin: You were the head of the highest organization of the country's businessmen. How is the country's business and trade going at present? Cases are being filed against businessmen and industrialists in some places. How do you see this?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: In the last 15/16 years, business and trade have not been allowed to going on properly. The state economic structure has completely collapsed as its backbone has been broken. The model in which they have run the economy is the Awami model: a model of looting. There is no money in the country's banks. The stock market has been destroyed. The reserve has hit rock bottom at once. It is very difficult to get out of this, but it is possible if we as a nation can take a unified decision. Cases can be filed; but we have to see if there is a logical reason behind it? What is the merit of the cases? Have the cases been filed unnecessarily or out of revenge? We’ve to see these matters, too.
Bangladesh Pratidin: Conspiracies are ongoing from home and abroad. The conspiracy does not stop. What is the solution to this?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: Even though Sheikh Hasina fled the country after the fall of the dictatorial government, her aides still remain. They are also in the administration. The interim government will have to look into it. Democracy cannot be established by keeping them in important positions. If the entire nation is united, they will not be able to do anything big. For this, everyone must be vigilant and alert.
Bangladesh Pratidin: When will BNP’s National Council be held?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: Party conferences/committees are being held at various levels, including districts and upazilas. The national council will be held only after they are over.
Bangladesh Pratidin: What is your main expectation from the current government?
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: The main expectation is only one: The sooner this interim government can end this transitional period through a free and fair election and join the democratic process, the better it will be for the country and the nation.
Bangladesh Pratidin: There is a demand to bring Sheikh Hasina back to the country and bring her to justice. What do you think about it?
Amir Khusru Mahmud Chowdhury: I cannot dismiss the demand to bring her back from outside after fleeing the country.
So she should come back on her own. Why would there be a demand? If she has the courage, she should come back on her own and face it. Now there is justice in the country, which was absent before. Now there is an independent justice system as well.
Bangladesh Pratidin: What is your demand for the country and the people and the current interim government?
Amir Khusru Mahmud Chowdhury: The people want to regain their ownership of the country. They want to regain their civil rights. We all want to establish that rights together. I hope we will all remain united for the greater interest of the country.
Bangladesh Pratidin: Thank you for giving time to The Bangladesh Pratidin.
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury: Thank you very much
