BNP on Saturday demanded that the interim government declare the date of general election first and then complete state reformation process.
BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the demand in separate programmes.
Speaking at a rally organised by the Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani Anusari Parishad, demanding the re-inclusion of Bhasani's biography in the seventh and ninth grade textbooks Nazrul Islam said that, it is now a demand of the time to complete reforms quickly for establishing a government elected by the people.
He said, "One aspiration of 16 years' struggle and the mass uprising of students and people in July-August has been fulfilled with the fall of fascism. But another aspiration is the restoration of democracy and the restoration of people's rights is still far away."
Nazrul Islam said democracy needs to be restored in such a way that it cannot be used against the people.
"True democracy and people's democracy must be reestablished. Therefore, it is now a demand of the time to establish an elected government and people's rule by completing the necessary reforms," he said.
Nazrul Islam said, "The longer the government takes time in holding the election, the more new organisations will emerge and many individuals will present various proposals and aspirations, claiming to represent the people's will."
He said, "If the biggest party in Bangladesh claims that this is the aspiration of the people, it will still not be valid until it is approved by the people."
Nazrul Islam said the rule of the people needs to be established with the confidence of the public, and the democratic government must run the country as per the people's consent and aspirations. For that, I believe the necessary provisions should be incorporated, and the constitution should be amended.
Recalling the role of Moulana Bhasani, Nazrul said the Awami League regime attempted to erase the name and immense contributions of the great leader from history.
"They (AL) have already been punished for it. They were not only defeated but had to flee. There is no such instance in the history of this country. Many leaders were previously assassinated and imprisoned, but no one fled the country," he observed.
The BNP leader said there are many reasons why the Awami League had to endure such a significant insult. "One of them is that they tried to erase the names of many great sons of the soil. They prioritised not just a party but a family, which is a political crime. They received their punishment. I believe this should be a lesson not just for them but for all of us politicians."
