BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that barring the Awami League from participating in the upcoming national election or labeling it as a fascist political party would undermine democratic practices.
Speaking in an interview with UNB, Fakhrul expressed doubts about the Awami League's political future, describing the party as "politically bankrupt" and increasingly isolated from the public, particularly the younger generation.
Fakhrul urged all political parties to act responsibly and remain vigilant against possible depoliticization efforts, warning of a plot similar to the events of 1/11, which involved local and international actors.
In the first report of a three-part series based on the interview, Fakhrul expressed his disagreement with calls to ban the Awami League, emphasizing the importance of democratic processes. He acknowledged that while the Awami League has been accused of anti-democratic actions, banning it or any political party is not a solution.
He pointed out that similar attempts in the past, such as banning Jamaat-e-Islami, have not been successful, as those parties tend to reemerge.
When asked about a proposed amendment to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, which could potentially ban political parties for up to 10 years for crimes against humanity, Fakhrul suggested that such a move might not be appropriate from a democratic standpoint.
He stressed that political practice, rather than legal bans, should determine the fate of any political party.
Fakhrul further criticized the Awami League's reliance on bureaucracy and state forces during its time in power, which he said has alienated the party from the public and led to its political decline. He believes that the Awami League's disconnection from the people, particularly the younger generation, will make it difficult for the party to regain trust, even if it participates in future elections.
The BNP leader also highlighted the spontaneity of the student-led uprising that ousted the Awami League, asserting that it was a movement fueled by widespread anger against the regime's authoritarian actions.
He warned that political depoliticization plots may once again be in motion, urging vigilance to prevent such schemes from undermining democracy in Bangladesh.
