Amidst calls to ban the Awami League and Jatiya Party, BNP senior leader Goyeshwar Chandra Roy has said that it is ultimately up to people to determine whom to accept or reject, through a transparent national election.
He made the comment while speaking at a discussion as the chief guest at the National Press Club in the capital on Monday. Swadhinata Forum, a pro-BNP civic platform, organised the discussion on the occasion of the National Revolution and Solidarity Day which is observed on November 7.
President of Swadhinata Forum Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah presided over the discussion, while it was addressed, among others, by BNP vice chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, the party’s central leaders Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and Khairul Kabir Khokon.
Speaking at the discussion, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy said that restoring democracy will serve as a form of retribution for those who have undermined it.
“We have been asked to clarify BNP’s stance on banning the Awami League and Jatiya Party. Why should the BNP need to clarify its position on this issue?” Goyeshwar questioned.
He added that both the people of Bangladesh and the BNP desire the interim government to quickly hold the national elections. “People will decide who should be rejected and who should be accepted through the elections. So, any imprudent decision will not bring welfare or peace to the country,” he said.
Goyeshwar, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said that the term ‘reform’ became stigmatised during the 1/11 political changeover due to ulterior motives.
He said that while there is widespread support for necessary state reforms, attempts to consolidate power by banning a political party or promoting depoliticisation will not serve the nation’s interests. “Those who deserve banning have, in effect, banned themselves and departed from the country; now there is no one to raise their banner or slogans,” he said.
The BNP leader said that political parties should not engage in retribution against each other. “We are fighting for democracy, and the restoration of democracy is the means of taking that revenge on (the Awami League),” he added.
He also mentioned that Sheikh Hasina had to leave the country due to her long history of disregarding the law. “After her downfall, how could she abide by the law? If she were not afraid of the law, she would not have left the country; she would have stayed in jail.”
