My loyalty will be to constitution, not the alliance: Oli Ahmed

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmed has said that if elected president, his loyalty will be to the Constitution and the people of Bangladesh, not to the political alliance that nominated him.

The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance nominated Oli Ahmed as its common candidate for the presidential election scheduled for August 20. The alliance described him as an experienced politician and a freedom fighter.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Observer, Oli Ahmed dismissed speculation that his nomination was the result of any secret understanding with Jamaat-e-Islami. He said political cooperation with Jamaat was nothing new in Bangladesh and maintained that his political position was guided by constitutional principles rather than individual parties.

He also said he would resign from his party position before taking the oath of office if elected president. He further expressed support for reforming Article 70 of the Constitution to give lawmakers greater freedom to vote according to their conscience.

Here is the full interview:

DO: The Jamaat-led alliance has nominated you as its presidential candidate. Is this recognition of your personal acceptability and political experience, or is it the result of a broader political power-sharing arrangement with Jamaat?
Oli Ahmed: First of all, Jamaat is not merely a political party; it is an important political force. Among the leaders of the alliance, I am one of the most experienced and qualified. I have a PhD from London, served three times as a minister and was elected to Parliament six times. I have had a long political career without any proven allegation of wrongdoing against me.

I was imprisoned several times during my political career. I also faced three separate inquiries by the Anti-Corruption Commission. But by the grace of Allah Rabbul Alamin, no allegation against me was established. I have never knowingly done anything against the Quran and Hadith. I have always tried to help people rather than seek revenge.

I am a freedom fighter. During the Liberation War, I served as a Brigade Major and worked alongside the S-Force, K-Force and Z-Force. I have also received recognition for my leadership, including being featured in Who's Who World and Who's Who Asia.

People consider me a successful minister, and recent independent surveys have identified me as a suitable candidate for the presidency. Ultimately, the fate of Bangladesh will not be decided by MPs alone; the people are also important. Whether I win or lose is ultimately in the hands of Allah, and I have faith in the people.

DO: If you become president, to whom will your primary loyalty be-the Constitution, the people, or the alliance that made you president?
Oli Ahmed: The alliance is simply the political platform through which I may become president. It has nothing to do with my loyalty. As president, I must abide by the Constitution and ensure that the expectations of the people of Bangladesh are fulfilled.

DO: There has often been talk of political distance between you and Jamaat. How did that distance turn into political unity so quickly? Was there any secret understanding?
There was no political distance between Jamaat and me. Some people who, in my view, act as agents of India and do not want Bangladesh to progress are raising these issues to target me.
The allegation that I sought a parliamentary seat for my wife is a big lie. These are nothing but baseless allegations and the work of hypocrites.

DO: If the alliance takes a decision contrary to the national interest, will you have the courage to take a position against the alliance?
My goal is to unite the people and reduce the gap between the government and the opposition. I want to take Bangladesh to the highest position in the world.

DO: If you are elected, will you resign as chairman of your party?
Oli Ahmed: Naturally. According to the rules, a president cannot remain an active member of a political party. Therefore, I will resign from my party position before taking the oath of office.

DO: Is your political position driven by ideology, or has it changed according to the balance of political power?
Oli Ahmed: I am a Muslim. I follow the Quran and the Sunnah. I am not a hypocrite. My political position is guided by the Constitution, not by individuals or political parties.

DO: Will you remain a president for the alliance or a president for everyone?
Oli Ahmed: If elected, I will be the President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. My allegiance is to Allah and the people. Power-sharing is a normal part of politics, but as president I will work for the people of the entire country.

DO: Are you genuinely contesting the presidential election, or is your candidacy part of a broader strategy by Jamaat to gain political power?
Oli Ahmed: We are genuinely contesting the election. We respect the Constitution and the changes demanded by the 2024 movement, in which many young people sacrificed their lives.

We believe Article 70 of the Constitution should be reformed so that Members of Parliament have greater freedom to vote for the person they believe is right rather than being compelled to follow party directives.

We want democracy to prevail in every sphere of life. I hope the present government also understands this, because today's government may become tomorrow's opposition.

There is a saying: "Better not throw stones if you are sitting in a glass house." Political power is temporary, but the country and its people are permanent. We therefore need to build a political system based on cooperation, harmony and democratic values.