BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday criticized a recent statement by an adviser claiming that political parties have achieved nothing in 50 years, while the current government is making strides.
“Then who brought the success of the Liberation War in 1971, the achievements of 1990, and those of 2024? Were these solely contributions of the civil society? Yes, they supported the movements, but political parties made it happen," he said.
Rizvi made these remarks at a winter clothing distribution program organized by BNP’s Nationalist Farmers’ Party in front of the Suchona Community Centre in Mohammadpur, Dhaka.
He added that reforms in a state never happen without the efforts of politicians.
Commenting on the adviser’s statement about reforms, Rizvi called it a reflection of arrogance. “The reforms that advance a state—these ideas were conceived by great thinkers and implemented by political parties. If genuine reforms were being carried out, then essentials of democracy like elections, the rule of law, and the judiciary wouldn’t face delays,” he said.
Acknowledging some progress, Rizvi said: “We’re not saying no progress has been made. At least we can now give speeches and return home without being arrested. We’re not being hunted by police or intelligence agencies anymore. But when such claims are made, people may fear a resurgence of the Fakhruddin-Moinuddin era.”
He criticized the government for failing to control prices and dismantle the market syndicates left by former autocratic rulers. "Identify and bring middlemen under the law. Extortion at checkpoints is still rampant. BNP can try to stop it, but it’s ultimately the government's responsibility. Although the government is trying, their efforts lack vigor. If people do not feel better off than before, they will grow frustrated," he said.
Rizvi accused the interim government of retaining loyalists of Sheikh Hasina in the administration, saying: “How can you advance the nation with these people? For example, the SP responsible for the killing of protester Shaon in Narayanganj was promoted to Dhaka. How will you stop extortion, terrorism, and killings? Rewarding police responsible for bloodshed on the streets harms both the current government and any future administrations."