Staff Correspondent

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir commended Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Thursday for his address to the nation, stating that it articulated the vision of the interim government.

Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also expressed hope that the government will swiftly implement the necessary reforms outlined by the Chief Adviser in his speech to pave the way for holding the national election.

“This is now a very crucial time. In his address to the nation yesterday (Wednesday), the Chief Adviser discussed various reforms (needed for different institutions) and named those have been entrusted with the responsibility for carrying them out,” the BNP leader said.

Fakhrul said that through his address, “has (Yunus) broadly outlined the vision of his government.”

The BNP leader emphasised that these reforms are crucial as the autocratic Sheikh Hasina regime has destroyed all state institutions. “So, we hope these reforms will be completed very promptly.”

He also expressed hopes that the government will prioritise promptly establishing the rule of people’s elected representatives and a people’s parliament.

“We wish the interim government’s success, as it came to power through a mass movement. We hope they will meet the hopes and aspirations of the people,” Fakhrul said.

He also said there is no alternative to democracy since it is the system through which the hopes and aspirations of the people can be reflected.

“That’s why our most crucial task now is to build democratic institutions. But this must be done according to the desires of the people. We hope the interim government will realise this and fulfill their duties effectively, so that the people can benefit,” the BNP leader said.

He said their party is committed to giving them all the time and opportunity to accomplish the necessary reforms. “We hope that they will complete these works (reforms) as soon as possible and go towards the elections.”

Earlier on Wednesday evening, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in his address to the nation said the interim government decided to form six commissions to reform the judiciary, election system, administration, police, Anti-Corruption Commission, and the constitution.

Fakhrul talked to the reporters at the press briefing after a coordination meeting with the leaders of BNP and its associate bodies at Nayapaltan central office. The meeting reviewed the preparations for the two-day programme on September 14 and 15 announced by BNP to celebrate International Democracy Day.

About the chaos in the administration, he said it can happen after the ouster of a government through a revolution.

“It’s a new government. The previous government had politicised the bureaucracy by promoting their own supporters and giving them positions and using them. So it will take some time (to restore order),” the BNP leader said.

Since it’s not feasible to recruit entirely new officers right now, he said existing officers will need to handle the administrative activities. “That’s why we have to be patient. I believe that everything will be fine in a very short time.”

The BNP leader said a vested quarter is hatching plots to thwart the student-led mass uprising.

Fakhrul said the deposed fascist ruler Sheikh Hasina took shelter in India, from where she has been spreading false propaganda against Bangladesh and its people.

He said such propaganda will not be accepted and expressed confidence that the people of Bangladesh will not believe it, but rather protest against it. Mentioning that there is an attempt to create instability in the industrial sector, the BNP leader urged patriotic citizens to unite and resist the conspirators, ensuring that no one can destroy the country’s achievements.

He called upon BNP leaders and activists to offer full support in keeping industries and factories operational.

“We need to exercise patience and support the people. Our task now is to maintain unity, remain patient ourselves, and create resistance to prevent such untoward activities from occurring,” Fakhrul said.