BNP Leader Highlights Stagnation in Bangladesh Due to Election Uncertainty
BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has highlighted a growing sense of uncertainty across Bangladesh, where investment, business activities, and personal decisions have come to a standstill. People are waiting for the national election to take place before making any major decisions.
“People now want emancipation from the current situation through the election. All decisions have been postponed—whether it is about investment, business, or family matters. Everyone is saying, Let the election happen first, then we’ll decide. Everything is on hold,” he said during a speech at the launch of a book titled ‘Visionary Recommendations for Building an Advanced Nation of the Future’ at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
The event was organized by Dr Mohammad Faiz Uddin MBE, a former senior official in the UK public service and local government, who is also the author and publisher of the book.
Khosru, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, accused certain groups of trying to delay the election despite the strong desire of the people to vote.
Constitution and Referendum Provisions
Khosru emphasized that the current interim government has taken oath under the existing Constitution, which does not allow a referendum before or on the election day. However, he stated that BNP has agreed, out of political tolerance, to consider a referendum on the election day for the sake of harmony and mutual respect.
“We have shown flexibility so that mutual respect is maintained and the country does not fall into chaos,” he said. He added that BNP’s decision to support the referendum on election day was a gesture of political tolerance.
Khosru also highlighted that the party has already completed much of the groundwork for reforms in key sectors, including administration, policing, and governance. This preparation aims to ensure that if BNP receives a mandate to form the government, it can begin implementing its plans immediately.
“In Bangladesh, after forming a government, months or even years pass before decisions are made. This time, we are preparing everything in advance so that if Allah gives us the opportunity to serve the nation, we can take action from the first day,” he said.
High Expectations and Readiness for Change
Khosru noted that people’s expectations are very high, and their patience is running low. “After so many years of misrule, people expect immediate solutions once this regime ends. To meet these expectations, we must be fully prepared from now on so that people do not lose hope.”
He also discussed BNP’s long-standing proposal for a bicameral legislature, which was first outlined in its Vision 2030 document eight years ago and later reaffirmed by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in the party’s 31-point reform plan.
Criticism of Political Consensus Efforts
Khosru questioned the authority of political parties to impose their ideas on others under the guise of forming consensus. “True democracy means respecting differences and reaching agreements through people’s mandate, not by forcing others to accept one’s views. Decisions about how the country will run must come from the people, not a small group in Dhaka.”
He criticized those trying to push their own agendas, emphasizing that the bicameral system was first proposed by BNP years ago. “Now, many are talking about the bicameral system as if it is a new idea. But it was BNP that proposed it first, years ago. Others are only now realizing its importance,” he said.