TDS Desk

In an interview, BNP National Standing Committee member and former State Minister for Power Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said, “Fleeing the country is not new for Awami League Chairperson and her associates after committing various crimes and corruptions. She and her family members fled country earlier. Like previous period, she (former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina) managed to flee again during the Students-Public uprising and has taken shelter in India. But, the incumbent interim government should bring her to back to ensure trial of her all misdeeds for the sake of country. The former minister Tuku also discussed various other political issues to the media, which have been mentioned below.

Tuku claimed that the Awami League has a history of fleeing the country, dating back to 1971. He alleged that during the Liberation War, top leaders of the Awami League resided comfortably in hotels in Kolkata, India, engaging in immoral activities, while others fought for the country. He also mentioned recent incidents where Awami League leaders were arrested in India on charges of rape, suggesting a pattern of criminal behavior both domestically and abroad. Tuku called for legal action against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others for alleged crimes, including genocide, to uphold the justice system in Bangladesh.

The details of the interview are given below:

Question: How do you evaluate the activities of the interim government?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: The interim government’s activities would have been more acceptable to the public if they had focused on controlling commodity prices and establishing law and order, rather than looking in various directions. During the murderous Hasina’s regime, people couldn’t vote in four consecutive elections, leading to public resentment. More than four months have passed since the interim government took over. In this time, their responsibility was to do whatever necessary to hand over power to an elected government.

Question: Discussions are ongoing in the political arena about a ‘Minus Two’ conspiracy against Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman. What is your comment on this?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: This is a fantasy. Tarique Rahman will return to the country and lead the people. He is now a popular leader not only in the political arena but also among people from all walks of life across Bangladesh.

Question: When do you think the national parliamentary elections should be held?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: The sooner, the better. As the saying goes, what doesn’t happen in three months won’t happen in nine years. People have the right to know when the election will be. Therefore, without keeping the public in the dark, the electoral roadmap should be provided immediately.

Question: How do you view the government’s reform activities? Which reforms does BNP prioritize?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: In the current volatile situation of the country, I believe the government should focus more on a few reforms. The police administration is still not effective. Those who turned Sheikh Hasina into a monster, the accomplices of Awami League in the administration, are still there. Therefore, additional attention needs to be given to the administration and law and order.

Question: BNP has promised to form a national government after the elections. How do you see this?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: BNP is committed to implementing the previously announced 31-point reform proposal. It is stated in the 31 points that we will form a national government with the participation of all who fought against the autocrat Sheikh Hasina and run the country’s affairs. BNP is committed to fulfilling this promise.

Question: Bangladesh Chhatra League has already been banned. There is a demand to ban Awami League’s politics and prevent them from participating in the next elections. The demand for their trial for the July-August genocide is also gaining momentum. What is your comment on this?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: If the brutal genocide carried out by Awami League in July-August is not tried, people will lose all faith in the country’s judicial system. Good governance will not be possible. As for whether Awami League can participate in the next elections, the people have already answered. Even with a hurricane lamp, no one from Awami League can be found to light a candle. Failing to gain acceptance among the country’s people, Awami League has now become an exiled virtual party on foreign soil. If they enter the election field, the possibility of being beaten by the public cannot be ruled out. Therefore, they are now an almost missing party.

Question: How prepared is the BNP for the elections?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: BNP is prepared, which is why it wants elections. There is no shortage of candidates in BNP. The sweet problem will be deciding whom to choose among many. Selecting just one candidate from those who endured Sheikh Hasina’s oppression for the past 16 years is a very tough task. However, the party is fully prepared for a free, fair, and impartial election.

Question: Which should come first, local or national elections?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: The national parliamentary elections should be held first. After that, the elected parliament will determine when and how they want local government elections. Holding local government elections first means turning away from national parliamentary elections.

Question: What is your comment on constitutional reforms?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: The 15th amendment to the constitution has initiated a disgraceful chapter in Bangladesh’s history. Although the court has already partially annulled it, which we appreciate. Still, I would say, constitutional reforms are necessary. However, an elected parliament is needed to reform the constitution.

Question: How do you view the July-August student and public movement? What was the contribution of BNP and other political parties?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: BNP has been conducting movements against the fascist Awami government for 16 years, enduring imprisonment, torture, and oppression. Many activists have lost their lives, been injured, or disabled. My wife was also injured; bullets remain in her body. There were ups and downs in the movement. But the entire groundwork for the July-August movement was prepared by BNP and other political parties in the simultaneous movement. In the July-August movement, most of the lives lost were of BNP and its affiliate organizations’ activists. In the final stage, students and the public took to the streets and scored the victory goal with everyone’s support.

Question: The acting chairman of BNP, Tarique Rahman, repeatedly says that the upcoming parliamentary election is challenging for BNP. What are these challenges?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: Our main battle is the election. We need to maintain public trust and, with their mandate, become part of governing the country. Moreover, there are many conspiracies and plots that need to be tackled.

Question: When might BNP’s national council be held?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: It will be held as soon as possible. The work of restructuring the district-upazila level committees is almost complete. The National Council will be organized only after these are completed.

Question: How do you view India’s behavior towards Bangladesh?

Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku: As a neighboring country, we expect friendly behavior. But if India only shows affection for Sheikh Hasina, excluding the people of Bangladesh, wants to instigate the recent riots, and wants to tarnish Bangladesh’s image to the outside world by telling lies, then friendly relations will not develop. India should understand that the people of Bangladesh are non-communal. In India, the votes of hardline Hindutva supporters increase, but in Bangladesh, the votes of hardline Islamists decrease. Sheikh Hasina is trying to play the minority card while sitting in India. She is trying to imply that if the Awami League does not exist, Islamists will rise in Bangladesh and Hindus will be subjected to violence.