BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the people of Bangladesh have witnessed political theatrics around resignations, although the BNP never demanded such resignations.
“We asked for a roadmap for elections by December, not anyone’s resignation. If speaking up for democratic rights is a crime, we are prepared to commit that crime repeatedly,” he said.
Speaking at a youth-focused political rights rally in Dhaka, Salahuddin expressed hope that the government would soon arrange for Ishraque Hossain to be sworn in as Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation and promptly declare an election roadmap.
Otherwise, he warned, any movement against the interim government in pursuit of democracy and elections would be unfortunate but inevitable.
Highlighting threats to the rule of law, he criticized the failure to implement court verdicts and urged unity among all democratic forces to resist authoritarian resurgence.
“We must work together to establish a constitution and system where autocracy can never rise again,” he said.
Salahuddin also voiced concern over efforts to divide pro-democracy groups and warned against forgetting the era of fascist looting, enforced disappearances, and killings. He accused the ruling party of never upholding democratic values and acting autocratically since its inception.
He further rejected allegations that pro-democracy activists are foreign agents, claiming that such tactics are being used to sow division and revive authoritarianism.
Concluding his speech, he emphasized the importance of building an independent, sovereign, and functional nation driven by the youth as its core strength.
