Staff Correspondent

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged 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.

Speaking at a council, he also warned that people will not tolerate it if they find the incompetence of the government in running the country.

"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," the BNP leader said.

He said the relationship between the government and 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."

Tarique addressed the concluding session of the third National Council of the Jatiyatabadi Textile Engineers Association of Bangladesh as the chief guest at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.

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 given the opportunity 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 said Sheikh Hasina fled the country after brutally injuring around 30,000 people and killing approximately 2,000 students and mass people.

"The interim government then assumed responsibility for the devastated administration and state. While it is impossible to remove the mess created by the mafia government over 15 years in just three months, it is neither unreasonable nor unusual for the public to question the success or failure of the interim government after this period," the BNP leader said.

He said the government must remember that it may not be possible to meet all the demands of the people. “However, if there is a lack of competence within the government, or if the public perceives it, they will not naturally accept it.”

Tarique also said if priorities are set incorrectly during the reform process, it will be seen by the people as a sign of the government's inefficiency.

He lamented that those injured in the mass uprising have recently taken to the streets coming out of a hospital, demanding proper treatment.

“This is a deeply shameful sight for all democracy-loving people in the country, especially for the common citizens and those who have conscience. Naturally, a question arises: Why is the treatment and safety of those injured during the July-August mass uprising not a priority for the interim government? Or where does it stand on their list of priorities?” the BNP leader said.

He also highlighted that people across all levels of society are enduring immense hardship due to rising prices of daily essentials, with the government failing to dismantle the market syndicates.

“So, another question arises: Where does lowering the prices of commodities rank on the interim government's priority list?” Tarique asked.

He said not all actions of the interim government may be viewed as successes by everyone. “However, the failure of this interim government is a failure for all of us. We must recognise this,” he said.

The BNP leader pointed out that over the past 15 years, autocratic governments made the country increasingly dependent on imports and foreign loans. "The country needs to be freed from such a situation”.

Stating that their party has already submitted a 31-point reform proposal of the state, he said it is a historic document for the future development of Bangladesh.

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.

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.

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.