Bangladesh Nationalist Party will return to the streets if elections are not held on time: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader

Interview/ Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general, Bangladesh Nationalist Party

Struggles, sacrifices and repeated crackdowns have long defined the political landscape of Bangladesh. Today, elder statesmen like Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, 77, are witnessing a new generation take to the streets in search of a new nationalist identity. As the country looks ahead under an interim government headed by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, the memory of past mass protests, including the one in July last year, looms large.

“It isn’t Bangladesh’s first tryst with a caretaker government,” says Fakhrul, seated beside his wife at his residence in Dhaka after returning from Singapore, where he underwent treatment following a heart block detected during his time in jail. Bangladesh has witnessed multiple transitions not just under elected regimes but under caretaker governments as well―a system inbuilt in the constitution to ensure free and fair elections, but abolished by the Sheikh Hasina government in 2011. Last December, the Bangladesh High Court restored the constitutional provision of the non-party caretaker government system for holding parliamentary elections. While the interim government maintains that elections will be held between December 2025 and June 2026, the BNP insists they must be held by this December. “We will return to the streets if elections are not held on time,” says Fakhrul. Excerpts from an exclusive interview:

Q/ You have seen Bangladesh go through many struggles. Do you think the existing political situation is unprecedented?

A/ I have been jailed 11 times and not fewer than 110 charges have been brought against me. Our leader Begum Khaleda Zia and her son were in jail. Her son has been running the party from exile, fearing political vendetta. The last 15 years of the Awami League regime saw the killing of thousands of innocent children and forced disappearances, making it the worst experience under a fascist government. Hasina destroyed all the institutions―the judiciary, the bureaucracy and the economy, especially. They laundered the resources of this country. The entire population wanted change. Today, it is unfortunate that the political parties do not trust each other because of this. Therefore, the role of the interim government is important in holding free and fair elections. At the time of elections, there should be a neutral government.

Q/ Is the BNP keen to have reforms first and elections later, or should an elected government initiate the reform process?

A/ It is incorrect to make reforms and elections mutually exclusive. It has to be a continuous process. The media say we are opposing reforms, but it is the BNP which first proposed in May 2016 national reforms in the political and economic structures. It is our party, in fact, that brought the multi-party system in 1975 under the initiative of party founder Ziaur Rahman and returned the democratic rights of the people. It was our party that brought the parliamentary form of government in 1991 under Begum Khaleda Zia. It was our party which liberalised the economy for private sector investment. We have already given a 31-point charter for reforms, which has recommendations on most of the points being raised by the interim government. We are committed to it. So, we want elections to be held as soon as possible because no government can function properly without a democratic system.

Q/ What is the time frame you are looking at for elections?

A/ We have not been given a time frame, but we expect the election to be held by December this year. The adviser to the interim government has told me several times that it can be completed by December. But I don’t know about the intentions of the inner circle of the government.

Q/ What do you think of Bangladesh’s present approach towards India?

A/ Unfortunately, in Bangladesh, the younger generation has a negative notion about India. I think India is partially responsible for that because of the perception created about being dependent totally on one political party. I have met several Indian leaders and told them that it would be suicidal if they depended solely on one political party here. India is a big country and should have a people-to-people relationship. But if you ask the rickshaw puller or the vendor here in Bangladesh, he may have a negative opinion today. Why should this happen when it was India who gave shelter to almost 10 million people and fought with us side by side for the liberation of Bangladesh? After 53 years, it is because of the wrong policy that India and Bangladesh are facing some issues today. We want to have a close relationship to tackle basic issues like sharing of waters, stopping the killing of people on the border by India’s border guarding force, the trade imbalance and so on. Both countries should engage to explore the possibility of regaining all these things. We always ask for a better relationship between India and Bangladesh.

Q/ Do you think the relationship can be put on track soon?

A/ India has not spoken out very clearly, but giving shelter to Sheikh Hasina on its soil is not being liked by people here. Our government has certainly requested India to send her back to face trial, but it has not been addressed by India in the manner it should have been. Several Awami League leaders accused of human rights violations are also being given shelter in India. We hope India can take the lead to help this relationship come out of this mess.

Q/ Bangladesh is now leaning towards countries like China and Pakistan.

A/ When one neighbour disengages with you, isn’t it natural to seek out another? We actually want India to be very practical. It is a very big country and the very nature of diplomacy warrants a practical approach. On the contrary, the Chinese are very smart. The change of government happened on August 5 and by August 7–8, the Chinese started contacting all opposition parties. In fact, they contacted the chief adviser within 15 days and made many economic proposals. They want business in Bangladesh and we want investment in Bangladesh. If they come out with good proposals for investments, why not?

Q/ What do you think about Pakistan?

A/ There has been lots of engagement with Pakistan and yes, they are taking advantage. But what kind of advantage, because Pakistan is quite a faraway country? There are certain sectors that can be considered by policymakers, like the textile industry. They are coming ahead with rice exports to Bangladesh along with other food exports. I don’t think there should be any problem with us engaging India, Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Why shouldn’t there be good relationships among neighbours? We all are very small countries and India is a very big country. India should behave like a truly generous neighbour.

Q/ Why do you think India is not being a truly “generous neighbour”?

A/ I think India has serious security concerns. India may believe that if other countries come close to us, like China, they can take advantage of it. India could not convey its sentiment to the people of Bangladesh, especially regarding its security concerns, because India was relying only on the Awami League. But today, if India comes forward with good proposals, why should we have a hostile relationship with India? Also, the most important part is non-interference in the internal politics of Bangladesh. India should immediately come with a new spirit of friendship to the people of Bangladesh. We are your responsible neighbour, not an enemy. India is a big economy and Bangladesh is a good market.

Q/ Who would be the face of the BNP when elections are held?

A/ If Begum Khaleda Zia’s health allows, she will definitely lead, but if she cannot, then our acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, will lead the party.

Q/ How soon will we see Tarique returning to Bangladesh?

A/ I think he will be coming this month along with Begum Zia because the doctors have completed her examinations.