Tarique Rahman, the acting chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stated that without qualitative progress in democratic politics, theoretical reforms would remain largely ineffective.
He made these remarks on Monday (25 November), during his address as the chief guest at the annual general meeting of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), held on the premises of the National Press Club in Dhaka.
Rahman underscored the necessity of alleviating the daily miseries of the populace as a prerequisite for making reforms effective.
He remarked, "Whether in power or out of it, we must remember that reforms cannot yield desired outcomes unless the everyday struggles of the people are mitigated. Without securing the essentials of daily life for citizens, reforms will fail to achieve their intended benefits."
He further clarified that the BNP does not oppose the interim government's reform initiatives.
However, he criticised those who are stirring confusion by raising the question of whether reforms should precede elections.
"Their motives are different," he observed.
Tarique Rahman asserted that reform is a continuous process and not the exclusive domain of any single government.
"One government initiates reforms, and the next advances them. Reform, by its very nature, is an ongoing endeavour," he said.
On elections, Rahman remarked that while a single election cannot bring about democratic empowerment, the systematic denial of elections and the establishment of governments through unconstitutional means have entrenched fascist rule. "Elections are indispensable for the establishment of democratic rights," he asserted.
The BNP leader also highlighted the importance of preventing the political rehabilitation of fugitive autocrats and their associates.
"It is our responsibility to ensure they are held accountable—both in courts and before the people. To render them irrelevant, the political empowerment of the masses is essential. Once the people regain their voting rights, they will use them to reject those responsible for genocide, corruption, and authoritarianism," Tarique Rahman explained.
He reiterated the BNP's stance that free and fair elections are essential.
Warning of conspiracies to derail democracy, Tarique Rahman pointed out, "Both domestic and foreign forces are attempting to sow misunderstanding among pro-democratic groups in Bangladesh. However, unity among us will render such efforts futile."
Criticising the ruling Awami League, he remarked, "The current generation has shown that democracy and the Awami League cannot coexist. The Awami League is the antithesis of democracy."
The event also featured speeches from senior BNP figures, including Standing Committee Member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie. Other notable speakers included Khurshid Alam, General Secretary of DUJ; poet Abdul Hai Shikdar; former DUJ President Kamal Uddin Sabuj; senior journalist MA Aziz; Kader Gani Chowdhury, President of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists; former BFUJ President M Abdullah; and Nurul Islam Bulbul, Amir of Dhaka Metropolitan South Jamaat-e-Islami.
