BNP’s Khosru says govt has ‘no alternative’ to election to restore democracy

The interim government must hold national elections to restore democracy, BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said.

His comments follow a meeting in London on Friday between Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, which led to a joint statement proposing election in February next year.

“Elections have no alternative to restore democratic, political and constitutional rights,” said Khosru, a member of the BNP’s Standing Committee, at Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport after returning from London.

He said political consensus had emerged among leaders during the London talks on the need for elections to transition from the current unelected administration.

“Everyone agreed on this in the meeting,” he said.

Reacting to criticism from other parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), who questioned the neutrality of the interim authority and the decision to hold talks about election abroad, Khosru said democratic discourse must include differing opinions.

“In a democracy, everyone has the right to express their views,” he said. “That’s the strength of democratic progress.”

Khosru, who flew to London two days before the Yunus-Tarique meeting, said the demand for elections stemmed from a prolonged democratic vacuum.

“People in this country have not been able to vote freely for two decades. A whole generation has grown up without casting a ballot,” he said.

He reiterated the BNP’s commitment to a peaceful political path. “The people have sacrificed a great deal for democracy. That struggle must guide our future,” he said.

On reforms and accountability for past abuses, Khosru said the process would continue beyond the election.

“Reforms depend on consensus and remain ongoing,” he said. “As for justice, it is the judiciary’s responsibility to bring those responsible under the law -- this will continue under the next government as well.”

He added that the broader political consensus had already delivered results.

“It’s because of this unity that we were able to remove the fascist regime. We aim to continue decision-making based on consensus wherever possible.”