Staff Correspondent:

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday called on the interim government to guarantee a free and fair election, stressing that only an elected government has the mandate to amend the constitution for the nation’s interest.

“If any amendment to the constitution is needed for the interest of the country, it should be done by an elected government,” he said while talking to reporters after distributing raincoats among rickshaw and van pullers in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

The BNP leader said the achievement made on August 5 must be maintained, mentioning that people had endured sixteen years of oppression under a repressive government.

He stressed the need for preventing its return and urged all not to allow petty issues to create opportunities for fascism to re-emerge.

Mentioning that the nation has paid a heavy price over the past 16 years, Rizvi said, “There was no rule of law, no justice. The state machinery, including the judiciary and law enforcement, was used to serve the vendetta of Sheikh Hasina.”

“A reign had been established where no one but Sheikh Hasina, her children and relatives had the right to speak. It was a rule of bloodshed and vengeance. If we don’t want a repeat of that era, a minimum level of political understanding is essential,” he added.

Issuing a warning, the BNP senior leader said, “If we fail to reach that understanding, fascism will return in an even more terrifying form. Sheikh Hasina once waged a violent movement to establish the caretaker government system, only to scrap it herself once in power. That’s who Sheikh Hasina is, a leader with no commitment, who sees politics merely as a tool for deception and self-interest. We cannot allow that brand of politics to return.”

He also emphasised that the interim government must remain neutral and live up to public expectations.

“It’s not that they lack sincerity. Inflation has now come down, although prices of essentials remain high. But employment is not increasing. One after another, factories are shutting down. Without job creation, signs of famine may begin to appear. Perhaps a few advisers can afford duck meat anywhere they wish, but the general people cannot. Such a situation must not be allowed to arise,” he said.

Noting that about 100,000 workers have lost jobs in the garments sector, the BNP leader said, “Many mill owners are worshippers of fascism. We’ve long said that factories must remain open, and people must not go hungry. Politics cannot be done on the backs of starving people.”

He also urged the government to act and sell these factories through auction, if necessary.

Addressing the issue of constitutional amendments, he said, “If a change is required for the July charter, then a future elected parliament will decide. One political party says a referendum must be held beforehand, why? Fundamental principles are indivisible, but even then, the constitution allows amendments. And only a parliament can do that.”

If any constitutional change is required for democracy, the elected representatives will do it, he added.