Branding the newly elected Awami League government “illegal” and rejecting the possibility of holding a dialogue, main opposition BNP’s Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman said there was no reason to hold any dialogue with the “illegal government” elected through “farcical polls.”
“The farcical elections that took place yesterday [Sunday] and those who came to power, it is obvious that they do not represent any legitimate government. What kind of talks can be held with an illegitimate government?” he inquired.
Addressing a press conference at a hotel in London, Tarique came up with the statement when asked whether there was any window for a dialogue to resolve the political stalemate.
Tarique, who has been living in London since 2008, also said by boycotting the polls, the people showed that the BNP was going in the right direction. “Elections under caretaker government is the only solution.”
Tarique also urged the party leaders and activists and the people of the country to continue the anti-government movement “at any cost.”
“Unite the people in your areas, discuss among yourselves, strengthen the party’s foundation and pounce into action with full might,” he said.
BNP claimed that the low turnout had proved that people rejected the elections. Now, Tarique said, was the time for post-polls movement.
“All the people of the country now want BNP’s success so that we can uproot these autocrats,” he said, adding: “We will not compromise one bit.”
“If all our supporters participate in the movement wholeheartedly, then Inshallah, no power in the world can stop us from reaching success.”
Blaming people involved with the electoral process, Tarique said: “I will request them, ask your conscience honesty… you worked for whom and worked against whom.”
The press conference was held after Awami League won a landslide victory the 10th parliamentary elections held on Sunday. More than half of the 300 constituencies were elected uncontested. Of the other half, Awami League bagged 127 amid boycott from main opposition BNP.
Responding to a query, Tarique said he would return to Bangladesh after completing his ongoing medical treatment.
Tarique claimed that all the countries in the world and mass media were with the BNP’s movement. “I believe it would not be possible for any force to suppress the BNP.”