BNP to democratise economy if voted to power

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will democratise the economy if it comes to power as the people remain deprived if the economy is kept under group-centric patronage, said BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.Trade Fair Guide

He said this while addressing a dialogue titled National Election 2026 and Citizen Expectations organised by the platform Citizen's Platform in the city on Tuesday.

The BNP standing committee member also laid emphasis on ensuring accountability of the politicians as it is the politicians who are solemnly responsible to uphold the trust of people in them.

"Yes, this is true that people are not trusting politicians. Politicians will say many good things. But accountability is important. It was absent in the country for so long," he continued.

For a long time, there was a need in the country for an environment where people with different opinions can sit together and speak freely. That environment has now been created, which is an important foundation for a democratic future, he added.

"The expectations of the people of Bangladesh have now reached very high. Those who cannot understand this change will have an uncertain political future," he warmed.

In response to the call of Jamaat-e-Islami leader at the event, he said that the call for unity of all political parties and to move jointly and agree on all the issues is not realistic and undemocratic, certainly resembling the idea of Bakshal.

"Each party has its own philosophy, thoughts and outline. Democracy does not mean suppressing dissent in the name of consensus. Political parties should go to the people with their own proposals and work according to the mandate given by the people," he commented.

Saiful Alam Khan Milon, member, central executive council, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said political parties can when they met Tarique Rahman in Dhaka they proposed to have national political unity after the election for smooth progress of the country.

He also said that his party's commitment is to ensure a corruption and grabbing-free country through the election in February, put efforts for a change in political culture among the political parties and work together for the betterment of the country.

The Citizen Platform formulated a 'Citizen Manifesto' with the aim of building a fair, equitable and accountable Bangladesh. Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener of Citizen's Platform and Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, presided over the event.Trade Fair Guide

Politicians Dr Tasnim Zara, Dr Manisha Chakraborty, Nusrat Tabassum from National Citizen Party and Mojibur Rahman Monju, chairman, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, spoke at the event, among others.

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