State power is the government’s main source, they have no connection with the people: Zahir Uddin Swapan

The ruling party Bangladesh Awami League is adamant to conduct the forthcoming National Elections under their supervision. On the other hand, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is trying to create a mass movement in the country by holding various programs to topple the government and holding the one-point demand for the resignation of the current cabinet. Zahir Uddin Swapan, Media Cell Convener of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) gave a brief explanation of their position towards the recent context of current politics. Interviewed by Anindya Arif...

How do you see BNP's democracy revival movement?

All the democratic people of the world are fighting with various struggles to confront the fascism of the respective countries. The people of Bangladesh are not exception in this case. In ancient all struggles are written out in golden letters on the pages of history. The same struggle is going on now.

Awami League is complaining that foreigners have a role in the current mass movement. Is it true?

Among the foreigners who believe in democratic process and belong the democracy psychology in favor of protecting human rights, they are supporting this movement. And we are grateful for that. But many autocratic governments of the world are not in favor of this movement, that is also proven. So, the fight for democracy, the fight to protect human rights is a question of global consensus. So, the global position is polarizing in favor of our movement.

Before the 2014 and 2018 national elections, BNP had restless programme but that movement was not successful.

After the 2014 and 2018 elections, this fascist government has only renewed its power using state power. Which has no mass base. They have destroyed democracy. They fear public opinion and people's suffrage. To stay in power, the government has factionalized the police and administration. We have exposed this truth through the movements of 2014 and 2018. That is why the government is saying that this election will not be held like the previous two elections. That is, they have confessed their misdeeds. This is the victory of our previous and present movement. And this is why the government's statement is losing credibility.

Awami League General Secretary said, they are also ready to provide answer if BNP hits the government, How do you evaluate his statement?

Through this statement, it is understood that the government and the ruling party is bypassing the voting rights of the people due to the fear of public anger. They are trying to suppress mass movement by using state power instead of following the path of democracy. The natural process of exercising popular democracy, which flows through the exercise of suffrage. If this government wanted that, they would not have disagreed about a free and fair election. But they blocked all of that way by abolishing the system of elections under non-partisan government. Because they know the people will turn against them, they have axed the state power. They are repeatedly threatening on base of that power. But we know from history that eternal victory finally reserves for the people; power and authority would be defeated.

Recently one of the Assistant Private Secretary (APS) to the Prime Minister paid a visit to see BNP leader Amanullah Aman who admitted into the hospital in the police encounter. On the other hand, another BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy was entertained by the DB chief after his arrest. How do you see the attitude of the government towards the opposition leaders?

It is a two-sided drama staged by the government. Because, the police who showed violence against the opposition leaders on the streets. To the other hand their managers are trying to hide their misdeeds by doing all these incidents. They are actually trying to protect themselves from the visa policy. By doing this, they try to keep open the way for themselves as well as their families as they can easily visit off and on to the western countries. It is a manifestation of cowardice, corruption and cowardice of this government.

The government considers the United States and the European Union's fears regarding the election groundless.

The government is facing this pressure every day and is talking nonsense. The head of government herself is mockingly criticizing US and other countries' expressions of concern about the human rights situation here. Such statements are turning into madness. These talks already has been proved that they are under pressure.

Now distance has been created with your one of main alliance Jamaat-e-Islami. What is your assessment on this issue?

Those who already joined the ongoing anti-fascist movement with us is our allies. As long as Jamaat-e-Islami will keep them with this movement, they are our partners in the context of this movement. But Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh has no connections with the 31-point outlines of state reform which announced with the aim of democratic reforms.

The government is thinking of going hardline to suppress the movement of BNP. What are the preparations your party taken to deal this situation?

The more violent the government, the more of its weakness and cowardice will be exposed. Because the public support of ordinary unarmed people is with us which treats as the greatest asset. On the other hand, their only source is state power without politics and public support. The more brutal expositions will be revealed by the government, the more this fact will be proven.

If a conflict arises in this situation, will it not create a bigger crisis for the country?

As per the history you must have read, the final victory owner is only the people. No power can survive on base of muscle and state power without people’s acceptance. Since we have public support so we will try to break the government's strategy of using state power with the support of our public. Because the public servants also will not provide their support to a particular party for the long tenure.