Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will welcome formation of a new political party by students, the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said.
However, he said it would be frustrating if the new political party is formed under the patronage of the state or the administration. The process [formation of a new political party] should be transparent and normal. It is important for the country.
He stated it while addressing as the chief guest at a teachers' rally organized at the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) premises at Rahman in the capital on Saturday (January 25) afternoon.
Jatiya Shikkhak Karmachari Oikya Jote organised the rally, titled "Jatiya Shikkhak Dibos and Shikkhak Samabesh" at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the 89th birth anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
"The country's students and youth have become interested in the state and political system, which is certainly a positive aspect," Tarique said.
Tarique Rahman said the deposed autocrat had destroyed all the constitutional institutions. They even made institutions like the Election Commission (EC) and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) ineffective. The interim government has undertaken a number of reform initiatives. In such a situation, BNP doesn't have any disagreement with the interim government's reform initiatives except one or two points. BNP supports both the reforms and election.
According to the BNP Acting Chairman, the most important thing to the country's people is to meet their daily expenses.
In this regard, he referred to the continuous price hike of essentials, asserting that the security of the lives of people must be ensured along with control of the market syndicates to bring down the price hike of essentials. It is easy for the interim government to free people from the shackles of syndicates. Instead, they are putting the burden of VAT on people's shoulders. This government could not dismantle the market syndicates so far.
Tarique Rahman also raised the questions saying that essential prices are not coming under the control of the government due to attention given to other issues by some inside it.
He, however, said despite limitations, the government cannot be failed.
Regarding the formation of a new political party, Tarique Rahman said BNP welcomes if anyone wants to form a political party for ensuring democratic political rights of people.
He said youths are the future of the country. They will give leadership in the days ahead. However, it should not be done in any questionable way.
The BNP Acting Chairman further said if people can accept the failure of the government for greater interest of the nation, the government should also accept their demands with patience.
He also called upon the countrymen to remain cautious so that none could indulge in the conspiracy with BNP's activities.