Md Sarjis Alam, general secretary of the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation, said that they do not want to see the country being run by administrators.
He made this remark during a councilor meeting organized by the Bangladesh City and Municipal Councilors, held at the National Press Club's auditorium on Wednesday.
The event was titled "Demands for Reinstatement of Councilors Against Student Massacres and Fascism in the Interest of Public Welfare and Cooperation with the Current Government".
Sarjis Alam emphasized, "We want to make it clear that we do not want to see the country being run by administrators. Bureaucrats will operate within their territories, and elected representatives will work within theirs, engaging with the people. If this combination is missing, the government cannot function effectively."
He also expressed concerns about the misuse of power by some councilors.
"We do not want to hear of any councilor abusing power after being elected," he added.
He raised the issue of councilors' honoraria, stating that representatives at all levels, including councilors, members, chairmen, MPs, and ministers, should receive sufficient financial compensation, taking into account the current economic circumstances in Bangladesh.
"If they are not provided with the necessary support and are pressured from all sides, they will inevitably find alternative ways to cope," he said.
Sarjis called for a unified effort to represent the people's interests and urged the councilors to act according to the people's expectations for the future of Bangladesh.
He also warned that failure to meet these expectations could lead to a situation similar to that of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, where the public would lose faith in the leadership.
Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, also voiced concerns about the appointment of administrative officers instead of councilors.
Hasnat emphasized that administrative structures could not replace the role of elected representatives, who are more in tune with the needs and struggles of the people.
Hasnat further added that elected representatives should maintain close relationships with the people, saying: "We want representatives who we can meet at the tea shop or market, not bureaucrats working in offices."