No BNP-Jamaat alliance exists now
Over the last 18 years, the BNP has faced relentless persecution. Party leader Khaleda Zia was imprisoned and barred from seeking medical treatment abroad, while her son, Tarique Rahman, has been living in London since 2008 under threat of imprisonment if he returns home. With the departure of the Awami League from power, however, a change seems imminent. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir discusses various issues with Special Correspondent Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee.
**TDS**: You mentioned that the BNP is willing to allow a reasonable timeframe for reforms before the next elections. How much time would you grant the interim government for these reforms?
**Fakhrul**: The interim government is not elected but rather appointed. Its primary responsibility is to reform key institutions, which are currently on the brink of collapse, to ensure free and fair elections. It is difficult to specify how much time is needed for this since the previous Awami League government severely damaged these institutions.
**TDS**: You have asked the interim government to provide a roadmap for the next elections and their reform plan. Where do you think immediate reforms are necessary? And if the BNP wins power, will it support these reforms in parliament?
**Fakhrul**: The outgoing government has completely undermined the judiciary, the election commission, and law enforcement agencies by politicizing and criminalizing them. These areas require immediate reforms. The economic challenges facing Bangladesh cannot be resolved overnight, but the banking sector needs urgent attention. While comprehensive reforms might take time, we should at least begin with some significant changes.
We want reforms in four main sectors: the Election Commission, law enforcement agencies, the civil bureaucracy, and the judiciary. However, the interim government should consult political parties and stakeholders before initiating these reforms. Yes, we will support reforms that align with these consultations.
**TDS**: What is the BNP's position regarding the return of the acting chairman, Tarique Rahman?
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**Fakhrul**: We want him to return. We believe the charges against him lack merit, are fabricated, and were filed out of political revenge. His return would benefit both the party and the country.
**TDS**: During your meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, you demanded the withdrawal of cases against BNP leaders and activists nationwide. There are several cases against Tarique Rahman and 111 against you. Any progress?
**Fakhrul**: Yes, we raised this issue and also discussed it with the Attorney General. We are compiling a list to submit to the government. Around 2,000 BNP members and activists have been granted bail, but their cases are still pending. We want these cases withdrawn, as they are baseless. The sooner this happens, the better.
**TDS**: You have repeatedly requested that your party chief, Khaleda Zia, be allowed to travel abroad for better medical treatment. Any updates?
**Fakhrul**: Both the medical board and we are working on this matter. Sending her abroad is not currently possible. We have yet to decide whether she can fly, given her current health condition, and also where she would go. It all depends on her physical state.
**TDS**: How prepared is the BNP for the next election?
**Fakhrul**: We haven't been idle for the last 15 years. We have conducted district and sub-district meetings, virtually connecting with party acting chairman Tarique Rahman and other leaders. We have held standing committee meetings weekly. We are fully prepared for the upcoming elections.
**TDS**: There have been reports of one extortion gang replacing another, with many victims claiming that extortion and persecution continue, just by different people. The BNP has already expelled some members for their involvement in such activities. What is your view on this political culture?
**Fakhrul**: It's unfortunate. During any political transition, such incidents occur. This is a burden we bear. Our society hasn't changed overnight with the fall of the Awami League. Criminals still exist, and I strongly oppose equating them with BNP activists. While some may be associated with the BNP, the party will never support criminals.
The BNP has acted against those involved in such activities. However, I object to headlines suggesting the BNP is engaged in these hostile takeovers.
**TDS**: Since 1991, we have seen incumbents sidelining the opposition in this winner-takes-all culture. How do you plan to overcome this?
**Fakhrul**: We need a system for the peaceful transfer of power, which we haven't established in the last five decades. We've developed a culture where one has to be forcibly removed from power, which is dangerous. Only political consensus can end this. Democracy must be allowed to flourish.
A caretaker government system was a good approach. We propose making this system permanent to conduct elections within 90 days. This provision should be included in the constitution.
**TDS**: The Jamaat-e-Islami has been a key political ally of the BNP. However, you seem to have distanced yourself from them recently. What is the current status of the BNP-Jamaat relationship?
**Fakhrul**: Our alliance with Jamaat has been ineffective for a long time, but we continued our anti-government campaigns in mutual consultation. This is how we operated until the previous regime fell.
Since then, we've been in contact with other parties, considering that the interim government is in place and elections are imminent. A broad political compact is necessary, but we are not currently in an alliance with Jamaat.
**TDS**: Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, expressed a desire to work with the BNP, setting aside the longstanding rivalry. How do you respond?
**Fakhrul**: After the fall of the Awami League, BNP chief Khaleda Zia said she did not want a politics of destruction, revenge, or vengeance.
However, the Awami League must answer for its actions over the last 15 years, for ruining the country's politics, and for destroying the economy. We have no objection to any political party adhering to democratic principles. We firmly believe that every political party and individual has the right to engage in politics.
**TDS**: There is a demand to ban the Awami League. Do you think one of the country's oldest parties should be banned?
**Fakhrul**: Neither I nor my party supports banning any political party. BNP founder Ziaur Rahman introduced multi-party democracy. The Awami League started a one-party rule, but our leader Khaleda Zia initiated parliamentary democracy. So, no, we don't support banning any political party.
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**TDS**: The BNP has historically had a pro-China foreign policy, while the Awami League is seen as pro-India. What will be your stance if the BNP is elected?
**Fakhrul**: We do not want a special relationship with any one country. We want friendly relations with all. Also, we do not want any country to build its relationship with any particular party. Our foreign policy will be based on mutual interests.
**TDS**: There have been numerous allegations against the BNP's 2001–06 tenure. Will the BNP learn from its past mistakes? How can you guarantee there won't be another "Hawa Bhaban" if the party is elected?
**Fakhrul**: Some media and individuals have spread a narrative that Hawa Bhaban was undermining the party and its leadership. The BNP has never acted against the people's interests, though mistakes may have been made.
Hawa Bhaban was a private office. Can anyone provide an example of someone being tortured or detained there? Comparing Hawa Bhaban to "Aynaghar" (a facility used for illegal detention and torture of political opponents) is a gross misrepresentation. It is a conspiracy to undermine the BNP's achievements.
If there is an election, the people will decide which party is better. We must accept the election results. If we do not come to power, we accept defeat and move forward.
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