BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed has said that their party’s acting Chairman has instructed them to make every possible effort to maintain national unity in order to resist the rise of fascist forces in the country.
He made the comments while speaking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after his return from London on Sunday.
In response to a question about the message Tarique Rahman sent through him, Salahuddin said, “Our acting Chairman has instructed us to make every effort to keep the nation united, as otherwise, we understand that fascist forces and their associates could be emboldened.”
He said the nation has already witnessed such activities by fascist forces.
“I believe our ultimate challenge should be to foster the anti-fascist national and mass unity that has developed in Bangladesh as a political culture. Otherwise, fascism could rear its ugly head again,” the BNP leader warned.
When asked about Tarique’s possible return, he said they had not yet been able to create the necessary environment for his return. “It will take some more time, but he will definitely return home,” Salahuddin said.
He said the country’s people will turn down any ploy to delay the next national election. “So, I think we should focus on establishing a political government through a democratic process as soon as possible.”
The BNP leader said it may not take much time for the institutional, legal, and field-level reforms. “I call upon the interim government to give attention to completing the necessary reforms based on national consensus alongside taking election preparations so that we can proceed to the democratic process promptly.”
Replying to a question, he said the Chief Adviser just gave an idea about the election through his address to the nation on Victory Day, December 16.
Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, said it would be best for the Chief Adviser to unveil a specific roadmap through discussion with all stakeholders, including political parties. “I don’t think it’ll be possible to satisfy all parties with a vague idea of time.”
Regarding the move by the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, he said their party will welcome the emergence of any new political party in the current context of the country. “But it shouldn’t be like the King’s Party with the support of the government. It would be better for them to come through a healthy political process.”
Responding to another question, Salahuddin said as a pro-election party, BNP is always ready to join the upcoming national election.
Regarding the demand for burying the Constitution, the BNP leader said the national charter cannot be buried, but it can be amended and upgraded.
Salahuddin returned to Dhaka on Sunday after a two-week visit to London.
He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at 12:50 pm, according to BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
During his stay in London, Salahuddin met party acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to discuss political matters.
Besides, Sayrul said, Salahuddin spent some time with his daughter, who resides in London.
Salahuddin had left Dhaka for London on December 20.
