BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has criticised Thursday’s protest marches organised by Jamaat-e-Islami and other parties, branding them “unnecessary” and detrimental to continuing political dialogue.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, September 18, after returning from medical treatment in Singapore, Fakhrul said: “There was no need for such programmes. Discussions are still under way, and staging street protests at this stage only creates undue pressure which is neither conducive to democracy nor helpful in reaching sound decisions.”
Questioning the effectiveness of street demonstrations, he added: “Will taking to the streets solve our problems? Since the fall of the Awami League government, we have deliberately avoided street agitation. Our commitment is to resolve all issues including the implementation of the July Charter through dialogue.”
On the issue of proportional representation, Fakhrul clarified the BNP’s position: “We do not support PR. Bangladesh does not need it. Talks on the July Charter are progressing, and the BNP has already agreed on many points — they simply need to be formally tabled. Crucially, any constitutional change must enjoy popular legitimacy. Only a parliament elected with the people’s mandate can legitimately amend the constitution.”
Regarding recent calls to ban the 14-party alliance and the Jatiya Party, Fakhrul stated unequivocally: “The BNP opposes the banning of any political party.”
Looking ahead, Fakhrul confirmed he will accompany Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to the United Nations General Assembly session in New York. Asked about his role, he replied: “I don’t yet know what my specific responsibilities will be — we haven’t discussed it with Dr Yunus. But I expect Bangladesh’s democratic transition and development agenda to be central to our engagement there.”
In response to concerns that key national decisions are being made abroad, Fakhrul firmly rejected the notion: “That’s not the case. Bangladesh’s decisions must — and always have been — made by Bangladeshis, unitedly and independently. We will continue to chart our own course. Foreign interference is neither needed nor welcome.”