TDS Desk:

Praising BNP by admitting their mistakes, Awami League’s (AL) joint general secretary and former foreign minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that “one of the biggest failures of Awami League in the last 15 years was not being able to include BNP in the national elections”.

At the same time, Dr. Hasan Mahmud praised BNP for agreeing on various issues. The AL joint general secretary also reacted to the statements of Tarique Rahman and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul regarding the resignation of the President, banning of the Chhatra League (BCL), torching the Jatiya Party’s office, and reforms.

“Especially Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, ‘Who are we to ban political parties?’ – I agree with this question. They even spoke against the ban of BCL on paper. I agree with their statement,” Dr. Hasan Mahmud said.

On Sunday (November 3) in an opinion program of UK-based Bengali satellite channel ‘Channel S’, Dr. Hasan Mahmud gave his first official speech after the fall of the government on August 5.

After the collapse of the Awami League government on August 5, the news of Hasan Mahmud’s departure came. However, the question arose how he went out in the face of the arrest operation of the ousted government’s ministers and members of parliament (MPs) remains.

In response to a query about what was the biggest mistake or failure of the Awami League-ruled government in the last 15 years, Hashan Mahmud said that there will be mistakes if there are one in the government. No government in the world can do 100% accurate work. We also had many mistakes. Not just one or two mistakes, mistakes happen while in charge.

“I personally think – this is not my party’s opinion, it is the opinion of the individual Dr. Hasan Mahmud… I think the BNP must always have boycotted elections and attempted to prevent elections, however, since we were in charge, it was our failure not to accommodate the BNP in elections. In 2014 and 2024, it was our political failure not to bring this party (BNP) to the elections. Even though they were trying to fail us, it is our failure,” he also said.

This Awami League leader strongly protested the banning of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). He said, “I have seen the statement of BNP officials regarding banning Chhatra League. They also opposed it. Even if a political party is banned on paper, it does not become banned.”

“The same applies to the Chhatra League. When the first elections were held in Bangladesh after 75, when the parliament elections were held in 79 – the popularity of Awami League was reduced as per many. At that time, Awami League got more than 35 percent votes. Now at least 40 to 50 percent of the countrymen are still supporting Awami League. Those who think of banning political parties like Awami League is nothing but an illusion,” Dr. Hashan Mahmud said.

He also said that under the leadership of the political party, the creation of Bangladesh and many achievements of the country was possible, “how and why the idea of ​​banning that party comes, is not understandable”.

Hasan Mahmud said that thousands of cases have been filed in Bangladesh. According to some, the accused in all these cases are 6 million. The house of grassroots ward-level activists is also being searched by the police. They cannot stay at home. Thousands of our activists have been killed. “Those who are saying July-August killings, killings are still going on. These are not considered murders,” he added.

“When the police were attacked in July-August, did the police not have the right to defend themselves? It is not that the police fire in ‘self-defense’, they certainly did. That is why we have never denied the liability of the police or the responsibility of the government. We are still not denying it. Of course, if you are in charge, you must take responsibility. From that responsibility, the Sheikh Hasina government formed an investigation committee. Many of our activists were killed before August 5. We are creating the data for it, it will be published,” said Dr. Hasan Mahmud.

“The number of deaths that is being given is actually how much? There are big questions about that. In fact, how many people have confessed to murder, let them reveal their names,” the former minister also said.

“I think it would have been better if the matter could have been handled in a ‘different way’ rather than leaving the matter entirely in the hands of the court, which was the demand of the general students from the beginning,” Dr. Hasan Mahmud said, adding: “It was a mistake to let it go that far – I personally think.”

Regarding the next leadership of the party, Hasan Mahmud said that there have always been changes in the party. But “Sheikh Hasina is the life of Awami League and Sheikh Hasina is the life and death of Awami League”. Awami League cannot be imagined without her. There is a democracy in the party so no lineup is made. The next leadership will be created in the context of time and situation.

“We agree with many statements of BNP in the current context. During the 1/11 government, we fought to bring back democracy ‘in alliance with BNP’. Now I agree with many of the statements made by BNP’s acting chairman Mr. Tarique Rahman or BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir,” this AL joint general secretary said. “We are ready to work together with BNP if it is necessary to restore democracy, there is no disagreement in this regard.”

“I appreciate the stand that they have taken on the issue of the President to ensure that there is no constitutional crisis in the country. I also agree with the statement of the BNP after the attack and arson at the Jatiya Party office. I don’t get any statement from the government regarding posting against a political party or setting the office of a political party on fire. We are ‘very disappointed’ in which direction we are going.”

“It should be remembered that no government is the last government. Many didn’t think it was right. But I have always remembered. As a result, it should be remembered that this government is not the last government. They handcuffed the ministers of the previous government, threw eggs – they set a terrible example for the future, we have to wait for what happens in the future.”

“So I agree with BNP in many aspects and we agree with what BNP is talking about restoring democracy, a free, fair, fair election. If necessary, we will work together with BNP to restore democracy.”

Dr. Hasan Mahmud said, “We want the country to be good. Today there is ‘depression’ in national life. I personally think that ‘Bangladesh needs an Upper House’, in which many quality people can contribute to the governance of the state. BNP Acting Chairman also spoke in this regard, he also spoke in favor of the Upper House. Let me be clear – this is my personal opinion, not my party’s opinion.”

He also said that the state needs “many reforms”. Reform is an ongoing process. In this regard, I completely agree with what Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said. I think it is necessary to reform the state through elected representatives.

When asked whether Awami League leaders and activists would behave vengefully if allowed to return to the country, he said that “never”. “I think my party is also not in favor of vindictive behavior. If someone sets a bad example, don’t follow that bad example,” he stressed.

Addressing the party leaders and activists, Dr. Hasan Mahmud said, “There is no reason for my party leaders and activists to be disappointed. After 75, the hard times went and the party turned around. The party came to power in the state ‘4 times in a row’. The torture and oppression of activists today… I will tell them that this darkness will pass and soon a fair and normal environment will return to the country.”

“Public leader Sheikh Hasina is aware of everything, she is in touch with everyone. Her morale is 100% boosted. I will tell the leaders and activists – when this darkness passes, we will behave tolerantly towards everyone. Of course, we have made mistakes in running the state. We admit those mistakes. People learn from mistakes,” said Awami League’s (AL) joint general secretary and former foreign minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud.