BNP should face electoral challenge depending on public support: Aminul Islam Amin

The ruling party Bangladesh Awami League is adamant about completing the election under the party government. On the other hand, The Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP is trying to create a mass movement in the country by holding various programs to demand the resignation of the current government and one-point demand of the election-time government. In such a context of current politics, Bangladesh Awami League Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Aminul Islam Amin gave a brief explanation of their position Interviewed with Shampratik Deshkal.

You are adamant about elections under a party government. But BNP does not want to accept your position.

Here the issue of election under party government is not important. The constitution has clear instructions in this regard. We cannot go beyond this directive. And the government never elects itself, the election commission does. The government plays the role of a facilitator there. Here the election government performs a routine task. They cannot make any policy decisions. We cannot go beyond the constitution. And the constitution is such a thing, it cannot be changed at will. The constitution can be changed in view of the needs of the people. However, the number of these people there is also important. It is not the duty of any uncle's house to change the constitution at will. Considering that, there is no logical basis for the current demand of BNP. The election will be conducted by the Election Commission. And the government during the election will perform routine duties. If the BNP does not participate in the elections and tries to perpetuate arson and looting like in 2014, then the Election Commission will counter it with the help of the law enforcement agencies. Bangladesh Awami League will then stand by the people from its place of responsibility.

The US State Department and the European Union have repeatedly expressed concern about the fairness of the upcoming parliamentary elections. How do you see their fears?

We do not see such a role in the election of any other country in the world. Recently, 47 people died in the panchayat elections held in West Bengal, India. Again, the military rulers did not allow the elected government to take power in Thailand. We have seen how the government has changed in an undemocratic manner in Pakistan. The United States itself has seen violence since the last election. In a democratic country that is almost two and a half years old, such an incident is very surprising. But we don't see any involvement in those events. However, what these development partners of ours are saying about the next election, they are saying it for our good. But they are not saying that elections should be held under caretaker government. They are only saying that there should be a fair election. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also emphasized on this issue. Now BNP knows that the amount of corruption they have done in their 10 year history, the rise of militancy, many terrorist incidents like August 21, they will not be able to win the elections. So they are giving wrong impression to foreigners. As you know, in 2012, BNP leader Khaleda Zia wrote an article in Washington Times recommending cancellation of GSP benefits. So it is possible for BNP to do all kinds of things against the national interest.

Earlier, the national elections of 2014 and 2018 were held under the party government. But many questions remain about those elections?

Since BNP did not participate in the 2014 elections, the acceptance of that election was not rejected internationally. If that election was not acceptable, the Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Shireen Sharmin Chowdhury would not have been elected as the Speaker of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Again, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, a member of that parliament, would not have been elected as the president of the Inter-Parliament Association by getting the majority of votes. They did not have to do any lobbying to hold these positions. They have been elected to these posts by the votes of the parliament members of different countries of the world. Again, when BNP participated in the 2018 elections, it nominated three to four candidates before finalizing the candidacy for each seat. Then after finalizing the candidature, the BNP nominees held a rally in Nayapaltan and complained that they were not nominated because they could not send money to London. So they participated in the election to make the election controversial. And we are not afraid to admit the truth. So Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has said without hesitation that we want more acceptable elections than 2018.

Now if the BNP does not participate in the election, will the election be acceptable?

The election will be held according to the rules of the constitution. Therefore, if Awami League or BNP or any political party does not participate in the election, there will be no room for debate on the election. Again, there is no question in the international community about the acceptance of that election. Therefore, BNP should not rely on foreigners and accept the challenge of the next election by relying on the people.

So the election will not be the same as before?

See, nothing is out of the question. Even if someone does very well, there are questions. We are not stopping BNP from participating in the elections. Now if they do not come to the election, then they cannot be brought to the election by force. We do not have that right. It is their political decision.

Awami League has announced to deal with BNP's movement in a peaceful way. But in such a situation there is danger of conflict.

Now if BNP goes on the path of conflict, then the law and order forces will fulfill their duty. Will repress with a strong hand. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that there is no problem in BNP's movement. But anarchy in the name of movement will not be tolerated.