Pitting reforms against elections is unfortunate, says Tarique

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said a situation is developing where state reforms and elections are being set against each other.

Speaking virtually at an Iftar organised by the 12-Party Alliance at Sky City Hotel Dhaka in Malibagh on Saturday, he called it an "unfortunate" development.

Tarique called on alliance leaders to uphold unity at all costs despite differences in political views.

He said: “There will be differences, but we will sit down, discuss, and resolve them.

"We will not say or do anything that could, in any way, allow autocrats or their allies to regain control over the people of this country. This should be our commitment."

The BNP leader continued, “What does democracy mean to ordinary people? In simple terms, it is the right to vote freely.

“Some say reforms must be completed before elections. But I believe reform is a continuous process, not something that ends.”

Reflecting on the losses suffered in the movement, Tarique said: “Let us preserve the unity that once helped us remove autocracy.

"We'll pour all our efforts to sustain this unity and establish the democracy the people of this country aspire to.”

“We will work together, discuss, and implement the reforms that the nation demands,” he concluded.