What if BNP comes to power again?

October 1, 2001. How many of us remember this day twenty-one years ago? On that day, a national parliamentary election was held in Bangladesh under the caretaker government. On July 13, 2001, a peaceful handover of power took place for the first time in the history of Bangladesh. After ruling the country for 5 years, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over power to the non-partisan caretaker government led by Latifur Rahman. The election was held on October 1. At around 10 o'clock at night, it is understood that the BNP-Jamaat alliance is going to get an absolute majority. But there is still much left of the dangerous surprise. All BNP-Jamaat cadres attacked on Awami League leaders and supporters at that night. Like 'Operation Search Light' in 1971, murder, rape, looting and arson started all over the country. A hellish festival. The cries of innocent people drowned out the jubilation of BNP-Jamaat just in a moment. The non-partisan neutral government-controlled law-enforcement force was like a lifeless statue. Today is that October 1, when Bangladesh saw the brutality of revenge and shivered with fear. Exterminate opponents like German Nazis - Bangladesh has seen a terrible form of wild savagery. On that day, a senior journalist was telling me – ‘this is the beginning of the downfall of BNP’. Minorities were killed in the elections from October 1 to October 10. Awami League's leaders and workers were 'eliminated' and the campaign to build Awami Free Bangladesh was carried out. There was no law in the country during those 10 days. The will of BNP leaders and workers was the law. Then on October 10, Begum Zia-led BNP-Jamaat coalition government took oath, taking Bangladesh into an uncertainty. How was Bangladesh from 2001 to 2006? How many people remember that 'Ayame Jahilia' period? In 2006, BNP made the then president Dr. Yazuddin the head of the caretaker government. In fact, the key to power was in the hands of Begum Zia. Originally: On January 11, 2001, the BNP-Jamaat misrule in this country came to an end, when the military-controlled caretaker government took power.

Since then, BNP has been out of power for more than 15 years. Out of power for 15 years is a bitter experience for a political party born in the womb of power. It’s like a fish out of water. The party, which had been out of power for a long time, had not broken up. That's a surprise too. Struggling to survive, the party has now called for the fall of the government. After bringing down the Awami League government, they announced the re-introduction of non-partisan neutral government system. The party leaders are directing the workers to participate in these programs with batons. Another leader is satisfied with it. He wants to level up. He advises workers to go to rallies with bigger batons. Police and administration have been given advance warning. A political party can offer such a program to come to power. It is a good strategy to organize and energize the workers before elections. But my surprise lies elsewhere. Listening to the BNP leaders, it seems that they are like angels. White man from heaven. When a political party approaches the people, they should be transparent and clear. A man is both good and bad, so is a political party. Self-criticizing, realizing the mistake and correcting them is the responsibility of any political party. BNP was in power for two terms. As a citizen, I expected that BNP would go to the people after admitting the mistakes they made in their terms. But listening to the BNP leaders, it seems that the people of Bangladesh were in heaven during their rule. But how was actually Bangladesh at that time?

On Wednesday, I saw the BNP Secretary General angry over the incident of beating the Chhatra Dal leaders. I saw him on television saying, "Chhatra Dal leaders and workers were beaten in medieval style on the campus of Dhaka University." Mirza Fakhrul said, "The government is attacking the opposition party in a fascist manner. BNP activists are being beaten and killed indiscriminately." First of all, it is not democratic etiquette to obstruct, beat or attack the peaceful program of the opposition party. Those who did it in Mirpur, Banani, Bhola, Munshiganj, did injustice. Awami League and the government did not benefit from it. The damage is done. But can the BNP leaders put their hands on heart and say that they did not do anything worse than this while they were in power. Will the BNP leaders take a look at the pages of the newspaper from October 1, 2001 to October 10?

In March 2002, Awami League leader Bahauddin Nashim was arrested from the airport. According to Amnesty International's report, “His hands and feet were tied during his imprisonment in police and army prisons in Dhaka. He was hung upside down against a ceiling fan with a bag covering his head. Every part of his body including buttocks, knees, hips, arms and genitals was hit with bottles filled with water. He was tortured in various ways for five days.” Not only Bahauddin Nashim. Personalities like Dr. Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Shahriar Kabir, Muntasir Mamoon were remanded by the police and brutally tortured. What will BNP leaders say about the selective killing of Awami League leaders across the country like Ahsanullah Master murder, Shah SM Kibria murder? I do not want to say anything again about the grenade attack of 21 August. But can BNP's 'saint' leaders say with their hands on heart that they are not responsible for the incident. It needs to be said that what some miscreants of BCL are doing is inexcusable. Few days ago, a leader of Awami League was saying, "All the achievements of the government are being destroyed by Chhatra League." From Eden College to Chittagong. From tendering to rape. There is no such complaint that is not against the Chhatra League. But when you criticize others, don't you look in the mirror a little? What did their student organization 'Chhatra Dal' do when the BNP-Jamaat alliance was in power? Let's reminisce a little. After the announcement of the October 2001 election results, all the educational institutions were taken over by the Chhatra Dal. On October 2, they occupied the halls of Dhaka and Jahangir Nagar University. On October 18, a leading daily of the country had the headline 'Top Terrorists and Cadres in the Halls of Dhaka University'. The incident that happened last Tuesday (September 27) in Dhaka University, the same incident happened twenty-one years ago, on October 13, 2001. When the BCL wanted to enter the campus, they were severely beaten. Many Chhatra League workers could not even give the exam. On November 3, Chhatra League workers were indiscriminately beaten in Chittagong. This is how the BNP-Jamaat's program to destroy the Chhatra League went on for five years. Chhatra League was not taken to stand in any educational institution in the country. Did any leader of BNP say, “We are saddened by the activities of Chhatra Dal during the time when BNP was in power. If we come to power again, the opposing student organization will not be attacked in this way.” Is the Chhatra Dal committee is better than the Chhatra League? After forming a huge committee of 302 people, 32 people were excluded. BNP leaders dropped them because of extortion, rape and drug dealing. Chhatra Dal workers themselves say that Chhatra Dal is a haven for non-students, murderers and drug addicts. So, what will these Chhatra Dal do if BNP comes to power?

One of the issues that BNP is protesting now is 'load shedding'. Common people have forgotten the past. The painful memory of suffering from electricity. But how did BNP leaders forget Kansat tragedy. Does the Khamba story not cause pain in the hearts of BNP leaders? If the BNP which gave 12 hours of load shedding now criticizes one or two hours of load shedding, then it must be understood that the party does not think about the people. Tarique Zia is the current acting chairman of BNP. He was the 'Shadow Prime Minister' from 2001 to 2006. The country ran on his words. At that time, he said, 'No government can ever provide uninterrupted electricity.' Can Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir say that they will provide uninterrupted electricity when they come to power? If they do, then won't Tarique Zia be called a liar?

The crocodile cries of the BNP leaders about the price of goods are also quite noticeable. It is true that, commodity prices are out of control due to the Russia-Ukraine war and the endless failure of the Ministry of Commerce to regulate the market. Some ministers' words have gone to such a level that they have forgotten what their responsibilities are. I saw a minister saying a few days ago, "I will consult with the Minister of Agriculture to decide whether eggs will be imported." Eggs are not under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Agriculture. Eggs are the subject of 'Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock'. But inspired by the minister's words, the agriculture minister continues to make exciting statements about eggs every day. Awami League leaders also admit that these incompetences have set the market on fire. But was the period of BNP the era of Shaista Khan? At that time Professor Abul Barkat’s research found that, “2 lakh 86 thousand crore rupees have been looted from the market by increasing the prices of daily necessities including rice, dal, oil, salt, sugar, diesel, kerosene.” The average per capita income of Bangladesh was less than half of what it is today. At that time, a kg of raw chili rose to Tk 160. All commodity prices nearly doubled in five years. Is it reasonable to abuse others without accepting responsibility for that failure? Can Mirza Fakhrul guarantee that the price of goods will decrease, If BNP comes to power again?

Sharodiya Durga Puja is at the door. Lately BNP Secretary General is very enthusiastic about minorities. But how was the minority community when BNP was in power? After BNP's resounding victory, the country's minority communities were subjected to the most ruthless brutality. How will the minorities of this country forget the rape of Shefali, Purnima, Krishna? Amnesty International expressed its concern in a report saying that "An unjust program of extermination of minorities is being implemented silently in Bangladesh." Durga Puja started a few days after the BNP-Jamaat alliance came to power. The headline of a daily was 'Autumn Durga Puja begins in somber atmosphere all over the country.' On October 21, there were reports in various dailies of the country about idol vandalism, extortion and looting in Miresarai and Sitakunda. During the rule of BNP-Jamaat coalition, Sharodiya Durga festival meant idol vandalism and panic. Does the BNP regrets? Has BNP ever apologized to the minority community?

Almost all BNP leaders are economists now. Almost all BNP leaders are economists now. They give enlightening speeches like a parrot about the country's reserves, economy, foreign debt etc. Few days later, I asked a BNP leader, how much was the reserve when BNP was in power? He looked at the sky for a while and said, I don't know. But I am sure BNP leader Rizvi knows everything. I was astonished. So I researched a bit and found out a different story. Before Awami League came to power in 2009, foreign exchange reserves never exceeded 10 billion dollars. From 2001 to 2006, the foreign exchange reserves were between 1 and 5 billion dollars. Within a year of coming to power, the finance minister held an emergency meeting with donors. In that meeting on November 6, 2003, the finance minister said that the economy is in serious crisis. Need urgent help. Development activities in three hill districts were suspended due to severe economic crisis. On November 9, Deputy Minister Moni Swapan Dewan said 'this decision is due to the economic recession'. In the 2003-2004 fiscal year, an eight-point budget was revised at the behest of donors. At that time, Saifur Rahman said, "If you take a loan, you have to listen to foreigners." From this, it can be easily understood where the economy has reached in the last era. Those who complain about $37 billion are just being ignorant. There has been corruption, money laundering in the last era. But there has also been immense development which has changed the image of Bangladesh.

BNP leaders often say, " Awami League has taken over everything during the tenure of this government." So, what was the occupation of Dhaka City Corporation when the BNP was in power, the occupation of the Liberation War Parliament by breaking the lock under the leadership of the Minister of Liberation War, removing the Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University in the dark and occupying the Vice-Chancellor's chair? BNP came to power and occupied all the suites of the parliament building. The then speaker, Abdul Hamid, said that his chair should also be guarded from the hands of the BNP occupiers. (07 October 2001, Daily Ittefaq).

BNP out of power for 16 years. Surely they are in pain. There is a strong appetite for power. But there must be self-realization with it. There should be remorse and repentance. First of all, BNP should apologize and repent for their past actions. But recently, the arrogance of the BNP leaders is evident. We can get an idea of what might happen if BNP comes to power again.

BNP Secretary General said 'Begum Zia will be Prime Minister if BNP comes to power. In her absence, Tarique Zia will take over.' He said in an interview, 'These two are strikers and finishers.' Then BNP will take over the Supreme Court when it comes to power. Last time they amended the constitution to make their former leader the Chief Justice. This time the member of the standing committee should be made the chief justice. Therefore, the law and the constitution must be changed. Even a fugitive, convict can become a prime minister, minister, member of parliament. BNP leaders are strongly against development. They often say the development balloon has gone flat. All is Awami pretense. Only corruption has happened. If BNP comes to power, then Padma bridge will be demolished. Metrorail, Karnaphali tunnel will be destroyed. All development marks including Rooppur nuclear project.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that there has been looting in the power sector. So all the power plants will be shut down. People will work during the day in the light of the sun, the wind of nature. And will shower in the moon light at night. The country will be blessed.  

Listening to the talk of BNP leaders, it seems that the real problem is the name 'Bangladesh'. So if BNP comes to power, it will change the name of this country. The secretary general of the party said a few days ago, "Pakistan was better." If BNP comes to power, the slogan will be "Let's go back to Pakistan." If BNP comes to power, will Bangladesh become Pakistan again?