Public safety is the biggest challenge
The politics of the country revolves around dates. According to the BNP, the 'Maha Yatra of Movement' will begin on October 28. The resignation of the government will be along the path of this Mahayatra. On the other hand, Awami League is also talking about the 'Maha Yatra' on the same date, their aim is to continue the 'Maha Yatra of Development'. The situation of the citizens has been shattered in the separate 'Maha Yatra' of the two parties.
The movement is now towards Dhaka. The goal now is to occupy the center. The only 'one point' that BNP has is the resignation of the government. There is nothing else on their mind at the moment except the resignation of the government. Earlier their demands were supported by caretaker government, but now it is not visible. BNP has nothing but the resignation of the government. The election at the end of the five-year term of the parliament has now gone beyond the demands and political program of BNP.
The important issue that needed to be discussed is what will happen if the government resigns as per BNP's demand? Who will take responsibility? What is the answer to the issue of constitutional vacuum here? No answer. So it is not necessary to say that the BNP is demanding to be put in a terrible constitutional crisis? Actually so! What should the people do in such a situation?
It must be said that the masses do not analyze the demands of political parties. Not even thinking about the subtle motives behind the claims. Due to the public's lack of analytical ability or reluctance to analyze, most of the time the demands of political parties are more absurd than logical. The one-point demand of BNP does not go with the constitution. Rather, it is a disaster to bring an unelected government to power.
BNP's one-point demand does not include the next election. They demand resignation of the government. According to the constitution, the parliament is dissolved on the resignation of the prime minister. This is their demand. So who will be the head of this interim government? The country will be without a government? They will not go to the polls under the party government. But that is impossible in the existing system. If the caretaker government system is to be re-introduced, Parliament must do it. Why is BNP not trying to understand this common issue with its own experience?
How does BNP forget, before the June 12, 1996 elections, the one-party system elections were held on February 15 of that year. No one in the country is impartial except madmen and children - BNP had to add the caretaker government system to the constitution even after the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's comments. Caretaker system was passed by the parliament after dragging the session till midnight as it was not a matter of executive orders. That is, parliament had to decide on the election system. Nothing was possible by bypassing Parliament. This was evidenced by the BNP government, but now it is also forgotten. Because Parliament has to bring back the system of caretaker government that was left out of the constitution and the government has to be in power until that time. There is therefore no justification for the government's resignation. It can be said that BNP's movement program is revolving around unnecessary demands.
The last session of the 11th Parliament is currently underway. The session, which began on October 22, is likely to end on November 2. As indicated by the Election Commission, the schedule of the twelfth parliamentary elections in the second week of November. These are constitutional obligations. There is little chance of going beyond it. Meanwhile, if the next parliamentary elections are held under the ongoing system of the constitution, then the government will not have to resign, and the parliament will not be dissolved. And none of the claims of BNP go with it. If their demands are to be accepted, a bill should be brought in the Parliament on the electoral system, and it should be passed.
BNP's program of October 28. Their speeches, campaigns, preparations are all revolving around this one date. On the day of the program, the first obstacle may come with the transportation system, fearing that a part of the leaders and activists from all over the country have already left for Dhaka and are going every day. They aim for a large crowd. It is assumed that this will happen. Leaders and activists at all levels from the center to the fringes of the party believe that 'something will happen' on the 28th! Invigorated BNP leaders and activists are again hoping, although the government has not fallen by setting a date several times before. Starting from December 10 last year, this year July 28-29, the date of fall of the government was fixed.
While the movement to topple the government over the dateline is ridiculous, it is not unprecedented. In 2004, the then general secretary of Awami League late Abdul Jalil gave the date line that Khaleda Zia would fall on April 30. That dateline as 'Jalil's ultimatum' has become an element of humor in the history of the country. In 2013, the leaders of Hefazet Islam made such a declaration against the Awami League government. Hefazat leader late Junaid Babunagari had warned that the country will continue according to their words by holding a huge rally at Shapla Chattar in the capital on May 5. The dateline related to December 10 last year came courtesy of BNP leader Amanullah Aman. In October, Amanullah Aman announced that the state would be governed by Begum Khaleda Zia and Tareque Zia from December 10 (2022). The political reality is that the fall of a government on a dateline has never happened anywhere before, and it doesn't seem like it will happen this time either.
October 28 will be another date like the previous date? It's hard to answer, but anything that compromises public safety can happen here. Failed in the movement, BNP thinks that America and the Western world are with them. Secretary General of the party, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, said, "What he was able to do in 2014, what he was able to do in 2018, you cannot make that election in 2023. Westerners are giving us courage; there is no way to deny it. BNP Vice Chairman Barrister Shahjahan Omar said, "American Ambassador Peter Haas has become an angel for us. Baba, you save us, protect us. He should say - I am with you, you are a democratic country, we are also a democratic country. Peter Haas - Father God Assalamu Alaikum'.
According to the ideas or beliefs of BNP leaders and workers at all levels and the statements of central leaders, this date and movement is not only a political program, but there are many other things associated with it. In such a situation, the government party Awami League has given a separate program. Police and other law enforcement agencies are preparing to maintain order.
Common people's participation in political programs is no longer there. People have understood that the aim of all programs is to get them in power and stay in power. Some loyal activists take part in these, while the rest are 'hired political workers'. They hold the entire country hostage for their own interests, thereby threatening public safety.
The responsibilities of law enforcement agencies, including the police, have increased to protect public safety. If they do not succeed, there will be no end to human suffering!