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National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has warned that whoever comes to power could become another Sheikh Hasina if fundamental reforms are not made to the state structure.
“The driver has changed, but the machine has not. Unless the machine is changed, even the best driver will not be able to take the vehicle in the right direction,” he said.
Nahid made the remarks at a press conference at Kachari Royal Party Centre in Munshiganj town on Monday morning, ahead of a meeting to review organisational progress and plan for the upcoming local government elections.
He alleged that the Awami League government had politicised state institutions and claimed that similar tendencies were still evident in different sectors. Without fundamental changes to the state structure through a constitutional reform council, the existing system would continue, he said.
Nahid also ruled out the possibility of Sheikh Hasina returning to Bangladesh in December. He alleged that the Awami League’s recent activities should not be viewed merely as the party’s own political initiatives, claiming that India was using the party to exert pressure on Bangladesh.
On the caretaker government system, Nahid said determining how the chief adviser and the entire advisory council would be selected was as important as forming the government itself. He called for the process to follow proposals agreed upon by the National Consensus Commission on the basis of cross-party consultations.
He warned that the NCP would neither participate in nor allow a process in which any party attempted to form a caretaker government with its preferred individuals.
Nahid announced that the NCP would hold a mass protest in Dhaka’s Shahbagh on October 31, demanding, among other things, the resignation of the home and energy ministers. He accused the government of failing to maintain law and order amid rising extortion and violence, while also holding the relevant ministers responsible for the energy sector’s problems, including the gas crisis.
He further alleged that attempts were being made to influence the next general election and called for the adoption of the NCP-proposed caretaker government formula based on a “ranked-choice” system.
Expressing concern over arrests for opinions posted on social media and alleged harassment of journalists, Nahid said efforts were being made to silence people. He called for action to prevent the emergence of another authoritarian regime.
The NCP convener also voiced concerns over the local government elections, citing questions surrounding the appointment of administrators and the role of the Election Commission. He warned that the BNP would not be able to complete its five-year term if any attempt were made to manipulate the elections.
Highlighting local problems in Munshiganj, Nahid said the party would engage with residents on issues including river filling, illegal sand extraction, extortion, violence and land grabbing.
NCP Senior Joint Member Secretary Sarjis Alam and central and district-level leaders were present at the press conference.
