BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said, those who are afraid of participating in elections have no business being in politics.
"Those who fear elections should become pressure groups or NGOs. You can't claim to be in politics while avoiding elections and disrupting the democratic process," he said at a discussion organised by the Bhashani Janashakti Party and Bhashani Anusari Parishad at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
He said, "We were united during the July-August movement. Yet, just like the way Sheikh Hasina and her family took credit for the Liberation War, there is now an effort to hijack this movement too. We must not allow this to happen again in Bangladesh."
Highlighting the global consequences of election delays, the BNP leader said, "In countries where revolutions occurred and elections were delayed, division and civil war followed, and some even became failed states. Those that quickly returned to democratic processes have seen progress — economically, socially, and politically."
Addressing political pluralism, Khasru added, "Consensus on all issues is not necessary. We are different parties with different ideologies, and that diversity is essential for democracy. We reject one-party rule."
He also stressed the importance of tolerance in politics, "Differences in opinion are natural, but we must be respectful and avoid conflict. Democracy cannot survive without mutual respect."
Criticising authoritarian tendencies, he said, "It's undemocratic to say, 'accept my terms or I won't join the election.' That's how democracy is destroyed in the name of democracy. We had no choice but to accept whatever Sheikh Hasina decided. We were denied our rights."
The discussion was also addressed by Jatiyo Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, Gono Forum acting president Subrata Chowdhury, Nagorik Oikya General Secretary Shahidullah Kaiser, and Bhashani Anusari Parishad Convener Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, among others.
