Political desk:
NCP has no relationship with government’s two student advisors: Nahid Islam
The National Citizens Party (NCP) has no connection with the two student advisors of the interim government, said the party’s convener Nahid Islam. He said this at a press conference organized at the NCP’s temporary office at Rupayan Tower in Bangla Motor in the capital on Saturday (May 24) afternoon.
At the press conference, NCP convener Nahid Islam said, “The two student advisors who are in the interim government have no connection with the National Citizens Party. They went to the government at that time as representatives of the mass uprising in the wake of the mass uprising. I was also one of them at that time.”
NCP has no relationship with government’s two student advisors: Nahid Islam
He also said, “A kind of propaganda is being made by linking the two student advisors to the National Citizens Party and trying to humiliate them. We will say that this is very purposeful. Those who went as representatives of the mass uprising. It is their decision whether they will leave the government or not. Our expectations, the legitimacy of the mass uprising and the aspirations of all the advisors, including the student advisors, will work together.
Md. Nahid Islam said, “We (NCP) believe that the time given for the July Declaration is moving forward. As a result, arrangements should be made to issue the July Declaration within the specified time. The roadmap for justice, reform and elections should be published together. Then there will be a place of comfort and trust in the minds of the public and political parties. As a result, we call on the interim government to announce the July Declaration, the roadmap for justice, reform and elections together and move towards a fair solution by discussing with all parties.”
NCP has no relationship with government’s two student advisors: Nahid Islam
He also said, “In addition, the political parties and everyone in the public must behave responsibly. We will behave responsibly by thinking about the current situation of Bangladesh, national security and the future of democratic Bangladesh, and this is our expectation towards a solution through dialogue.’
Questioning whether this interim government is just an election-time government or a government to implement the aspirations of a mass uprising, he said, ‘We (NCP) think that this interim government has been formed in the context of a mass uprising. As a result, it has the responsibility to implement the aspirations of a mass uprising. Our expectation or call will be that Dr. Muhammad Yunus will take responsibility and move towards a solution by discussing politically with all parties.’
The party convener said that the NCP is not satisfied with the trial and reform activities of the interim government, saying, ‘We (NCP) are not satisfied with the pace at which the activities regarding trial and reform are going on.’
NCP has no relationship with government’s two student advisors: Nahid Islam
However, along with the criticism, he also called on the government to cooperate in this regard, saying, ‘No party should stand in the way of the government’s work. Let the government criticize and cooperate, and let the government also increase the pace of its work, and make its work more clear to the people.’
Nahid said that various forces opposing neighboring countries India and Bangladesh are repeatedly pushing Bangladesh towards disunity and division, ‘There are various types of propaganda going on in the Indian media, Awami League is doing various types of propaganda. As a result, the Awami League is basically behind this disunity in Bangladesh. Because the Awami League does not want this unity to exist. As a result, if we want to keep Bangladesh free from fascism, we have to always maintain that place of unity.’
In response to a question about the resignation of the chief advisor, he said, ‘In the context of the situation that was created in the country in front of the court, NBR, and Jamuna, Dr. Muhammad Yunus thinks that if he is taken hostage and any demand is made by applying pressure on him, it is actually not possible, he does not agree to it. He thinks that he has taken responsibility for some fundamental changes in the country after the mass uprising. This is the expectation of the people. If he cannot do those basic tasks, such as justice and reform, then what is the use of him?’
NCP has no relationship with government’s two student advisors: Nahid Islam
He further said, ‘He is not able to protect the promise he came from in this situation. And if this situation continues in the country, if political parties and various parties continue their activities like this, then it is not possible for him to fulfill his responsibilities. If pressure is applied like this for the elections, then he also doubts that a controlled election is going to be held. As a result, he does not want to take responsibility for it.’
Demanding local government elections, Nahid said, since various court rulings are now coming on the mayoral issue and there is movement and a kind of chaos being created over it, we think it is possible to organize local government elections very soon. For that, the Election Commission should be restructured and move towards local government elections. And we have supported the timeframe of December to June given by the Chief Advisor for the national elections.
Stating that it is not the army’s job to decide on political matters, he said in response to another question, “The 1-11 arrangement means a government in the country that is against the people and democracy, supported by the army and influenced by foreign powers. We have made it clear repeatedly since August 5 that there must be a government that is pro-people in support of the mass uprising, which will ensure democracy and reforms. We have respect for the army. The army is an important institution in the country. But it is not its job to decide on political matters. Its job is to ensure the defense and security of the country, and in a moment of crisis, they are now on the streets, looking after the law and order situation.”
Stating that the army’s release of the list of 626 people earlier would not have created doubts in the minds of the people, the NCP convener said, “The army is a symbol of our country’s sovereignty. The role the army is playing during the popular uprising and its aftermath is certainly important.” He further said, “We have seen at various times in our political history that political relations with the army are sometimes formed. We know about the 1/11 incident. But these incidents have not brought any good results for our democracy, for the state and for our army as an institution. We all consider that issue. Everyone should fulfill their duty, their responsibility.”
