Mr Alamgir mentioned that the India-Bangladesh relationship would proceed to be sound.
Every week of fast-paced developments in Bangladesh, which noticed Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, widespread violence and the formation of an interim authorities, has been capped off with the nation’s chief justice agreeing to step down on Saturday. Whereas it’s unclear when elections will likely be held, what is definite is that the Khaleda Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Occasion (BNP), one of many two massive political events within the nation, will likely be taking part in a key position in them.
Talking solely to NDTV on Saturday, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the overall secretary of the BNP, mentioned that the stepping down of the chief justice was led to by pupil protests as a result of he was identified to be intently related to Ms Hasina’s regime, which “killed many individuals” within the nation.
Within the wide-ranging interview, Mr Alamgir mentioned that Ms Zia will lead the BNP within the elections if she is match sufficient to take action and that the celebration would work to enhance the India-Bangladesh relationship if it involves energy. He mentioned that the assaults on Hindus within the nation had been a results of some folks attempting to reap the benefits of the state of affairs and careworn that they weren’t a part of any “systematic agenda”.
The BNP chief additionally mentioned he believes that the Bangladesh military is not going to intervene within the political course of going ahead and likewise claimed that no extremist parts had been concerned within the protests.
Requested concerning the chief justice stepping down, Mr Alamgir mentioned, “The chief justice is thought right here as an affiliate of the previous regime, which killed so many individuals on this nation and extraordinary, unprecedented corruption was executed throughout this era… So there was all the time a requirement for his removing. He was not precisely free, truthful and impartial and that is why the demand was very excessive.”
“The judiciary in Bangladesh has completely been destroyed. It’s an establishment however, with the assistance of the final regime, it was completely politicised,” he added.
Election Timeframe?
Whereas Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has taken oath as the pinnacle of an interim authorities and is seen as well-liked among the many motion that led to Ms Hasina being ousted, the query on everybody’s thoughts is when elections will likely be held once more in Bangladesh.
When Mr Alamgir was requested about this and the position 78-year-old Khaleda Zia, who was launched from jail this week, would be capable of play within the elections, he mentioned, “She’s very sick. She’s within the hospital. She’s affected by multidisciplinary illnesses. Her remedy was not going nicely on this nation and we we requested the judiciary in addition to the federal government a number of instances to ship her overseas, however that did not occur… Docs say she’s not match to journey proper now and we must look forward to a while earlier than taking her outdoors the nation. If she’s bodily match, she will certainly contest the election.”
The BNP chief mentioned that whereas his celebration is prepared for polls at any level, the interim authorities would wish extra time to conduct them.
“The whole election equipment has turn into completely polluted and they don’t seem to be able to carry a free-and-fair election. So that they must convey some reforms within the election system as nicely,” he mentioned.
Mr Alamgir additionally rubbished a declare made by Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, that the prime minister had not resigned, in addition to experiences that she was eliminated at gunpoint.
“The President himself, within the presence of political events and the military, mentioned she had resigned. There was no coercion or something… It was a revolution. When the mob of lakhs of individuals was shifting in the direction of Ms Hasina’s residence, her safety forces and the armed forces informed her she had two selections: keep right here and be mobbed or go away the nation. And, on the final second, she determined to go away the nation,”she mentioned.
Ties With India, Assaults On Minorities
Mr Alamgir emphasised that the India-Bangladesh relationship would proceed to be sound and mentioned the BNP would try to enhance it if it got here to energy.
When the chief was requested about assaults on minorities within the nation, together with Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, and whether or not there was a systemic assault, he mentioned, “This isn’t in any respect true. When there’s a change in our nation or any nation, particularly in third-world nations, there are some individuals who attempt to take benefit… In Bangladesh, sadly, with each revolution, leaders of the incumbent celebration are victimised, whether or not they’re Muslims or Hindus. There could also be some sporadic assaults (on minorities) but it surely was in no way a political or systematic agenda. By no means,” he mentioned, claiming that communal concord within the nation is “excellent”.
UN Involvement
When the BNP chief was requested whether or not there could be a vendetta in opposition to the supporters of Ms Hasina’s Occasion – the Awami League – or a purge of former military and cops seen as near her authorities, he mentioned that the United Nations has been requested to conduct an investigation.
“If anyone is discovered responsible of violating human rights, systematic killing of the opposition or enforced disappearances, naturally, their circumstances will likely be investigated they usually’ll be taken to activity,” he mentioned.
Mr Alamgir additionally mentioned that he didn’t consider that there could be any interference from the military within the political course of going ahead.
“Individuals trust within the military that they’re the saviours of the nation. So I do not assume they’ll do something which can go in opposition to the desire of the folks,” he mentioned.
Extremist Parts?
The violence within the nation has died all the way down to a big extent, Mr Alamgir mentioned, and sought to allay fears of extremist parts being concerned within the motion in opposition to Ms Hasina’s rule.
“The Jamaat (Jamaat-e-Islami) will not be an extremist political celebration, however there have been different extremist teams in Bangladesh and I do not consider they’re in existence now… Extremist parts will not be concerned (in protests) in any means. By no means. It’s completely (led by) college students and most of them are very progressive parts. Among the folks main the motion are terribly gifted. I’m sure and I consider that this revolution will certainly succeed,” he added.
