Emphasizing that there is no scope to create a smokescreen over the national election, BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday said that a democratic transition is the only way out of the country’s ongoing crisis and evolving political situation.
“Bangladesh was under dictatorship for 15 years. So, the only solution now is a transition to democracy. There is no alternative for the 180 million people of this country,” he said during a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club.
Dr Moyeen, a BNP Standing Committee member, posed a question to the nation regarding how the current events have unfolded over the past nine months, in a country where 180 million people were singing songs of freedom following the changes that August 5 brought to national life.
“August 5 was a momentous occasion for everyone, as we were freed from fifteen years of tyranny and dictatorship and began moving towards a democratic environment. So, a democratic transition is the only solution to the evolving situation. The 180 million people of Bangladesh must realize, understand, and accept this truth,” he said.
The BNP leader noted that even experts in England, considered the cradle of democracy, acknowledge that while democracy has flaws, all other systems are worse. “The people of Bangladesh understood this and sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War of 1971 for the cause of democracy.”
Dr Moyeen said that hundreds of thousands of people fought in the Liberation War and sacrificed their lives for democracy.
“It is wrong to belittle that war by misinterpreting it or reducing its significance based on personal ideology. Doing so undermines our very existence. Those who do not believe in democracy or fail to understand its meaning are the ones who criticize it,” he said.
He also criticized those who condemn the BNP for demanding a prompt national election to restore democracy.
“I am surprised to hear that we are being accused of wanting elections just to come to power. Have we committed a crime by demanding fair and impartial elections?” he asked.
Dr Moyeen said many people are openly criticizing the BNP, and some are even writing in newspapers that the party has gone crazy over the election. “If being eager for a fair and credible election makes us crazy, then we are proud to be on that path. We want democracy. Where is the crime in that? This is the question for those who criticize us.”
He added that those who oppose fair and impartial elections are the ones who reject democracy, ignore the welfare of the people, and disregard the nation’s hopes and aspirations.
“So, there is no scope for anyone to create any smokescreen around the parliamentary election—no matter how powerful they may be,” the BNP leader said.
He expressed dismay that the interim government, which came to power after a major uprising, is now saying it did not come only to oversee the election, but to do everything. “If this government intends to do everything, it will take 100 years. Are we to sleep for 100 years while they fix the country?”
Dr Moyeen stressed that not only the government or political parties but also the general public—especially young people—must remain alert during this critical time.
Responding to claims that multiple elections have failed to put the country on the right track, he said: “Let me be clear—there have been no proper elections in the last 15 years. The problem lies not with the concept of elections, but with those who conducted them.”
