Reforms must be rooted in democracy: Khasru

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has underscored the imperative of restoring democratic order through credible elections, saying reforms devoid of public mandate are neither legitimate nor sustainable.

Khasru made these comments on Tuesday at a memorial event marking the third death anniversary of Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, held at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club.

He warned that without democracy, there can be no true reform, and without elections, the people cannot reclaim ownership of their country.

The BNP leader said that a psychological shift is taking place among the people of Bangladesh in the aftermath of the retreat of fascist forces.

The critical question now, he said, is whether this transformation can be realised and sustained.

“If we are to return ownership of the country to its people, a democratic order must be restored through elections. There is no second alternative,” he said.

Khasru expressed concern that the necessary steps toward holding a credible election are not yet visible

“We are not even close to where those efforts should begin. What we are seeing now appears to be a continuation of the same old practices in a new guise,” he said.

Referring to ongoing discussions about reform, he pointed out that the BNP had earlier proposed a 27-point reform agenda, followed by a 31-point outline, while BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had presented Vision 2030 as a roadmap for reform.

“But those who now speak of reform were neither seen in the movement nor on the streets. Some briefly emerged, but when faced with pressure from Sheikh Hasina’s regime, they disappeared underground—only to now reappear and lecture us on reform,” he said.

He further said: “Regardless of how much one speaks of reform, in the end, it must come through a democratic process. Reforms outside democratic legitimacy are not acceptable. No one has been entrusted with the ownership of this country to impose unilateral reform. Reforms must be endorsed by the people of Bangladesh, through democratic means. There is no scope for any alternative.”

Reiterating the BNP’s stance, he said: “We have clearly stated that we are ready to engage with any reform initiative based on national consensus. Then why the delay? Why are we not being informed where that consensus lies? All political parties have submitted proposals. We are waiting. They talk of consensus, we talk of consensus—so where is it, and why is it not being disclosed?”

“Sheikh Hasina used to claim that development takes precedence and that elections and human rights could wait. We are once again hearing similar claims. But I say this clearly—no one will invest in Bangladesh merely by looking at faces. Neither domestic nor foreign investors will engage without an elected government.”