TDS Desk:

BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday said if their party is voted to power through the next general election, it will enact a law so that no one can be prime minister for more than two consecutive terms.

“To ensure that no one can ever cling on to power and become a dictator in Bangladesh, BNP wants to insert

a provision in the constitution barring anyone from becoming prime minister for more than two consecutive terms,” he said.

The BNP leader came up with the statement while addressing the leaders and activists of Cumilla and Faridpur divisions as part of a series of view-exchange meetings at the grassroots level to prepare for the next national election.

He also said with the fall of the dictator on 5 August, new expectations have been seen among people as their language has changed. “This changed language must be read and understood and the expectations must be translated into reality.”

“So far only Awami League was the open opponent. We understood and knew their style of attack. Now apart from them, there’re numerous invisible opponents around us, their position is in the dark and they’re everywhere. Be careful to face these visible and invisible opponents,” Tarique Rahman warned the party men.

Talking about BNP’s plan to reform the state structure, he highlighted the basic issues of the 31-point reform formula presented in July last year and said BNP wants to bury autocracy in the country in the future and bring balance in power between the legislative, judiciary and executive branches.

The BNP leader said they want to introduce a bicameral parliament system to ensure the representation and participation of the wise men of the society in the governance of the state, introduce employment and merit allowances for the youth and unemployed until employment and ensure the participation of women at all levels.

Tarique Rahman further said they want to bring radical changes in all sectors, including health, education, agriculture and finance policy, and want to build a modern Bangladesh with equal rights regardless of religion, the tribal clans of plains and hills.

He directed all the leaders and activists of the party to spread the message to the people, saying the genuine love of people from all walks of life was the only basis for the success and popularity of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.

“BNP’s only strength is the deep love and trust of the people of this country. This established love of the people must be preserved at any cost. It can’t be destroyed in any way. And if anyone tries to indulge in any misdeeds, the party won’t allow the person to do so, no matter how big he/she is,” the BNP acting chairman said.

He expressed the hope that if the BNP family remains united, it will be successful as a party again like in the past against any conspiracy.

Meanwhile, in a video message from London marking the party’s founding anniversary, Tarique Rahman called upon the party leaders and activists to win people’s hearts and gain their love with generosity and justice, not showing power.

“My clear message to you- win people’s hearts with fairness and kindness, not showing power or intimidation. Gain people’s love,” he said.

The BNP leader said the country was freed from autocracy on 5 August through the sacrifice of thousands of martyrs and the untold sufferings of numerous students and people.

But the cohorts of the autocrat are still hatching conspiracies to foil the success and potential of the mass uprising, he added.

Tarique Rahman said no conspiracy or propaganda can wipe out the memory of the disorder and injustice of the last 15 years of the Sheikh Hasina-led autocratic regime.

He mentioned that a demand has been raised from different quarters to turn the Ganabhaban into a museum of enforced disappearances, killings, abductions and genocides.

This museum will bear the message to future generations that no other ruler in Bangladesh follows the barbaric path of dictator Hasina to stay in power illegally, Tarique added.

He said there is no alternative to state reforms to transform the country into the desired Bangladesh of the people who want to go ahead on the path of dignity and prosperity.

The BNP leader said people’s participation in the state reform process is ensured by guaranteeing their voting rights in democratic countries. “To achieve that goal, we believe the interim government is taking ahead the state reform activities as per their plan,” he added.