BNP leader Barrister Moudud Ahmed has said the government should hold talks on Khaleda Zia’s seven-point proposal to resolve the ongoing political deadlock and thus have a graceful exit for it and leave behind a good legacy.
“Still, there’s a scope for Awami League to keep a good and memorable legacy for the new generation by opening up a path of negotiation and free the party from the stigma of practicing the politics of confrontation, repression, intolerance and vengeance and usurping power,” he said in an interview with UNB on Saturday.
Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said, “Khaleda Zia’s proposals what she made on December 31 last are very constructive and logical. The government should initiate a dialogue on the proposals. It’ll be a great opportunity for Awami League to restore democracy in the country and free the party from the stigma of the Januray-5 voter-less polls.”
He said leaders of an old and experienced party like Awami League are surely aware of the fact it will not be benefited much by hanging onto power with repressive acts. “Instead, it’ll outshine its all the achievements it has in the record of history.”
Moudud went on saying, “It’ll be a stained legacy of Awami League if it fails to find a reasonable solution to the deep political crisis it has created through assuming office without people’s mandate.”
The veteran politician observed that the prevailing political uncertainty can be removed only through establishing a democratic and representative administration.
“The history will positively evaluate a party not for how many terms and days it ruled a country but for its contributions towards restoring democracy and upholding democratic practice,” Moudud added.
Criticising the government for its reluctance to permit BNP to hold its peaceful rally in the city on January 5, the senior politician said the step the government has taken to take over streets with the help of law enforcers and ruling party men in a bid to resist the opposition will only invite a disaster for the nation.
“I think the government should cooperate with the opposition in holding its programme peacefully shunning the path of confrontation. It’ll in no way harm the government rather brighten its image,” he added.
Moudud also warned that the opposition will not have any other option but to take to the streets if the government obstructs their rally. “And it’ll be a minus point of the government.”
The former law minister also talked about the country’s judiciary and said the apex court has failed to uphold its past glory and ensure justice for people due to political interference over the last six years.
“There’s no rule of law in the country…the rule of law has now turned into party rule, depriving people of getting justice,” he regretted.
Moudud claimed the opposition activists and those have different point of views did not get justice from the court over the last six years.
He also lamented that the government has destroyed the basic foundation of rule of law by using the same law in one way for the opposition and the ruling party the other way.
Moudud, also a legal expert, said many judges are facing difficulties in discharging their duties neutrally and independently due to the 16th amendment to the constitution that empowered parliament to remove judges.
