Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has called on the interim government to ensure that the upcoming national parliamentary elections do not extend beyond February. He emphasized that elections must be conducted within this timeframe to establish an elected government. According to Dudu, the people of the country will not tolerate any delays or deviations, nor will they accept any form of procrastination.Dudu made these remarks on Thursday, October 16, during a discussion titled “Not an Unelected Government, but an Elected Government” organized by the Bangladesh Peoples Forum at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club.
He stated that the current government came to power through the 2024 mass uprising. “I do not intend to criticize this government, but the fall of autocracy happened through the uprising, meaning that the people demand democracy. If the government fails to understand this fundamental fact—that the fall of dictatorship was a result of the people’s aspiration for democracy—it will cause major damage to the country, democracy, and the recent uprising,” he added.
Dudu pointed out that the people have long awaited a general election. “There is a precedent in our country: after the 1990 mass uprising, Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed conducted elections within three months, leading the nation toward democracy. This demonstrates that timely action is entirely possible.”
He further urged the government to form an elected government as quickly as possible rather than continuing with an unelected administration. “If elections can be held by December, that should also be considered. But under no circumstances should the elections extend beyond February,” Dudu said. “The people will not tolerate delays or excuses.”
Addressing India, the former parliamentarian criticized the fact that Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge there, calling it an unusual precedent. “Who gives refuge to a killer? To someone who destroyed democracy? To someone involved in unlimited plunder? Such examples are rare worldwide,” he stated. He cited historical instances, noting that when the Shah of Iran fell during a popular uprising, he could not enter the United States despite his close ties; similarly, the former President of Sri Lanka could not take refuge in India. Yet, Sheikh Hasina received refuge in India after her government fell. Dudu questioned what India’s response would be if Bangladeshis raised objections to this.
Dudu emphasized Bangladesh’s long struggle for democracy and independence, highlighting that the nation was earned at the cost of immense bloodshed. Over the past 54 years, Bangladesh has witnessed many upheavals, but its people have never compromised on democracy and will not do so in the future. He warned that the government should not take unnecessary time.
While the government has announced elections for February, Dudu noted public skepticism due to the government’s conduct and statements. He cited Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who recently reaffirmed that elections would indeed be held in February, urging the government to take effective measures and implement a realistic action plan to ensure this. Any hesitation or delay, he warned, could lead to historical accountability for the government.
Dudu also warned of conspiracies targeting Bangladesh’s democracy, noting attempts by various domestic and foreign entities to create unrest or instability. He stressed that those advocating such actions often mask their true intentions behind seemingly good words.
The BNP leader posed a critical question: can an unelected government achieve what an elected government can? He stated that all political parties, including the BNP, supported Dr. Yunus’s government as a bridge from autocracy to democracy, and that this support remains intact. However, if anyone tries to conspire to topple the government in the future, the leading role will be played by the fallen Awami League, he warned. Dudu accused the Awami League of committing atrocities, including killing nearly 40,000 opposition leaders and activists within just three and a half years, allegedly following the path of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He called on the Awami League to seek forgiveness for their crimes, face justice, and return embezzled public funds. “This is the people’s hard-earned money, which you have stolen. Only after returning it can your political future be considered. Those who have committed such crimes deserve punishment, including the death penalty,” Dudu said.
Ending on a unifying note, he urged all parties to work together to establish democracy.
The discussion was chaired by Main Uddin Majumdar, President of the organizing body. Other speakers included Ahsan Habib Linkon, Secretary General of Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), Khaled Saifullah Sohel, President of Bangladesh Regional Secretary Council, Mohammad Mahbub Alam, Vice President of Democratic League, Md. Saidur Rahman, Chairman of Independent Muslim Party, Khokon Chandra Das, General Secretary of DIL, Monowar Hossain Beg, student leader Rafiqul Islam, Bibi Masum, and farmer leader Md. Shahin Molla, among others.