BNP not worried about coming of new party

Banladesh is being run by an interim government led by Professor Dr. Yunus as Sheikh Hasina regime had fallen down by Students Mass Uprising in August 5, 2024. There is pressure on this government from the country's major political parties to hold elections within a reasonable time to establish democracy.

In the meantime, the coordinators of Students Against Movement have taken the initiative to form a new political party. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Vice Chairman, Shamsuzzaman Dudu spoke to The Daily Post about the overall issues including the electoral roadmap, the emergence of the new political party, the activities of the student leaders of the anti-discrimination movement, and the slow-motion policy of the interim government regarding the elections. Daily Post special correspondent Alamgir Hussain interviewed him.

The Daily Post: BNP is the largest political party among the existing political parties in the country. What are the significant steps of the party in building a post-revolutionary Bangladesh?

Shamsuzzaman Dudu: The incident that has happened in the country is not a revolution, it is a mass uprising. There is a lot of difference between a revolution and a mass uprising. If there is a revolution, in this case everything will have to start anew. And if there is a mass uprising, a government will be run under the constitution and in accordance with the constitution. There will have to be a constitutional perspective. BNP believes in constitutional politics. That is why it is talking about elections. An elected government is formed through the electoral system. Then, in cases where the market system is completely under the control of syndicates, under the control of dishonest businessmen, it will be possible to prevent these. Similarly, the law and order situation, which was 100 percent under the control of those who were under the control of the previous government, must be reformed. In the last 6 months, this government does not seem to have been able to work fully in any area where law and order, administration or the areas where it needed to work. We think an elected government is needed for this change. We are talking about elections only after reaching a logical position.

The Daily Post: Sheikh Hasina has fallen due to the strong movement of students and masses, and an interim government is running the country. Is the current government on the right track?

Shamsuzzaman Dudu: The main task of the current government is to hold elections and transfer power to the elected government. Some reforms are needed to expedite this. But it is not possible for any unelected government to leave power after making all the reforms. Because, the people have no mandate for this government. They came to power only after a mass uprising.

The Daily Post: BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman had spoken about forming a national government with the support of all anti-fascist political parties. Has BNP moved away from that position?

Shamsuzzaman Dudu: BNP has not moved away from that position yet. When the date, month or time of the elections are announced, then the agitating forces, in what context and in what polarization, will participate in the elections or want to do so, may be a matter of discussion. If elections are held from their own positions, how much concession will they make to those who have also campaigned with BNP or will they hold elections in coordination with them? That is why it cannot be said that BNP is still withdrawing from the issue of forming a national government.

The Daily Post: It is heard that students are forming a political party by February 15, how does BNP view the issue of their formation of a political party?

Shamsuzzaman Dudu: BNP always believes that any person, organization or group can form a political party with a specific goal. This is one of the characteristics of democratic politics. If students, youth, workers and farmers form a party, BNP will congratulate them. There is nothing to worry about.

The Daily Post: Several new political parties have already emerged in the country, how do you see this?

Shamsuzzaman Dudu: Several political parties have organized or emerged in the new context or new situation of the country. It was also difficult for the old political parties before them to conduct their activities. It was very difficult to hold rallies, organize, and march. In the current context, these are largely open. If a new political party emerges alongside the old political party, then there is nothing to worry about. Because, BNP always believes in hundred opinions, and hundred paths.

The Daily Post: BNP is demanding an electoral roadmap after the reforms are completed in a short time. Many believe that the government is also adopting a slow-motion policy in this regard. Will BNP go on a movement demanding quick elections?

Shamsuzzaman Dudu: It has already been decided in our National Standing Committee meeting. Just as fascism has been confronted on the streets, we can soon go on a movement again to create an electoral environment by organizing the people on the streets.

The Daily Post: All anti-fascist political parties had support in the movement to topple the Sheikh Hasina government; but the students were at the forefront, how much distance is the BNP and those student leaders growing?

Shamsuzzaman Dudu: The situation of the movement 6 months ago, the leaders of that time, the student leadership or those who led them are all still students, they are now supposed to return to the institution. Because mass uprisings have happened before. We also had a role in creating mass uprisings. We were also student leaders. But when they (as students) want to sit in the chair of running the government or want to sit in the parliament, then the debates are being created. They are not able to take that debate easily. Now what seems to me is that they can form the government and run the country. But what will be their fate in the light of that situation - that cannot be commented on right now. However, we are not distant from them. Their platform is 'anti-discrimination student organization'. And there are 28 other student organizations with our student organization Chhatra Dal. And there is Chhatra Shibir with them, these two together, let's see now.

The Daily Post: Recently, a delegation led by the BNP Secretary General met with Islami Andolan Bangladesh. In that meeting, the two parties agreed on several issues, will they adopt the same strategy with Jamaat-e-Islami and other parties in the future?

Shamsuzzaman Dudu: Now we will have discussions with all the parties. Jamaat was once with us in four groups, and was also in 20 groups. The opposition we have with Jamaat that is being raised in various media is a political program, a political organization's perspective - these things can be there. Jamaat-e-Islami is also an old organization, BNP is another separate organization. Other organizations such as Islami Andolan Bangladesh are also organizations. That is why there can be discussions with all parties on the issue of democracy and elections and there can be an attempt to create consensus.

The Daily Post: All the anti-fascist political parties have ousted Sheikh Hasina using force according to their capabilities, will the conflict among themselves now encourage any third force?

Shamsuzzaman Dudu: There is no conflict. There is no conflict between the anti-fascist forces that were, have protested, struggled, shed blood on the streets, and there is no chance of any conflict until democracy is established.

The Daily Post: Awami League has called for a blockade on February 16 and a strike on February 18 on their verified Facebook page, how do you view their announcement of this program?

Shamsuzzaman Dudu: Their office is abandoned, it is now a toilet. Even their house is empty, starting from the caretaker. They themselves have also disappeared into the shadows. No one even claims that their leaders and activists are part of the Awami League anymore. Moreover, the less comments can be made about an organization whose head's family is involved in corruption; the better.

The Daily Post: Thank you very much for giving us your time.

Shamsuzzaman Dudu: Thank you too.