Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today accused some political parties and individuals of trying to create anarchy by exploiting the country’s ongoing power and gas crises, which he said his administration had inherited, and warned that everyone should act within their limits.
“We are trying to resolve all the problems we inherited, whether from the authoritarian regime or the interim government,” he said at a discussion marking the BNP’s 48th founding anniversary.
Tarique acknowledged that there are problems in various sectors that are causing suffering to the people.
"But we are noticing that some political parties and individuals are trying in different ways to create confusion by exploiting these problems, and through this confusion they are trying to create anarchy in the country," he said.
The prime minister said the government will uphold the democratic process and make its utmost effort to maintain democratic principles and ethics.
"But if anyone wants to create anarchy, the law of the country clearly sets out how to control such anarchy. Therefore, as a government – and not just as a government, but as a government elected by the people – I want to make it clear that everyone needs to remain within their respective limits," he said.
The discussion was held at the auditorium of the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in Dhaka’s Farmgate.
President Ziaur Rahman founded the BNP on September 1, 1978. The five-day central programme marking the party's 48th founding anniversary, which began on Tuesday, concluded with today's discussion.
Tarique Rahman said the BNP inherited a fragile economy, as well as weak health, education and communication systems, after forming the government.
He identified the energy crisis as the country's biggest immediate problem, acknowledging that many people and industries are suffering from shortages of electricity and fuel.
"I apologise on behalf of the party to all those who are suffering from the shortage of electricity and fuel," the BNP chief said.
He, however, said the government did not want to use the problems left behind by the previous regime or the interim government merely as excuses.
"We do not want to simply cite these problems as excuses. Rather, we want to present the reality to the people and at the same time take measures so that people do not have to face such problems in the future," the prime minister said.
He said the BNP has already adopted an action plan to address the energy crisis and prepare the country to withstand possible future global disruptions.
He alleged that a political group operated in disguise during the previous authoritarian regime and that some of its members subsequently admitted their involvement.
The prime minister also accused some political parties of attempting to spread confusion and said such activities could create an opportunity for forces associated with the ousted authoritarian regime to return to the political scene.
"Could it be that those who remained hidden under the authoritarian regime are now, from within that hidden network, trying to incite this anarchy?" he asked.
"If that is the case, then those who are hiding are actually working to bring that authoritarian regime back to the forefront," Tarique said.
Calling on all nationalist forces and BNP leaders and activists, he said: "Let us make the people more aware. Let us expose to the people who is taking responsibility for whom and who is trying to protect whom.”
