BNP wants to create another Baksal through partyization: Amir Shafiqur Rahman

Opposition leader and Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is corrupting the local government system by recklessly appointing party administrators. He made these comments at an emergency press conference held in front of the National Parliament Building on Thursday night.

He said that the BNP had mentioned in their 31-point reform proposal and election manifesto that administrators would be appointed only in the event of the death of an elected public representative or conviction by a court verdict. But they have not been able to give any satisfactory explanation about the context in which administrators are being appointed at present. He also claimed that through this, shameless partisanship is taking place in the local government system.

Regarding various bills raised in the parliament, he said that although some bills related to public interest were passed unanimously, some other bills contain attempts to curtail people's rights, limit the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and weaken the electoral system. The opposition party has objected to these issues.

He also expressed dissatisfaction with the time allocation in the parliament. He alleged that members of the government party are getting the opportunity to speak for a long time, while the opposition party is being given limited time. Although the time was later extended a little, it has been limited to a certain limit, which destroys equality.

Stressing on the independence of the judiciary, Shafiqur Rahman said that transparency in the appointment of judges and the establishment of an independent secretariat are very important. He believes that if the executive branch has influence over the judiciary, there is a risk of disruption of justice.

Citing the ordinance issued by the interim government, he said that there was no influence of the executive branch there. But in the current situation, there is a risk of repeating the same problem by returning to the previous system.

Regarding the elections, he complained, citing the example of the Sherpur and Bogra by-elections, that the pattern of irregularities continues as in the past. In his words, "Only the name has changed, the pattern remains the same."

Finally, he said that the people of the country have resisted fascism in the past and they are ready to resist any such attempt in the future.

At a press conference, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said that the opposition was forced to stage a temporary walkout from the parliament in protest against the repeal of important ordinances related to human rights, independence of the judiciary and appointment of judges. He claimed that the dignity of the parliament has been tarnished by the enactment of some anti-people laws.