No more talks with AL: Tarique

“A government that comes to the power through a farcical election is definitely not a legal government. I see no reason to have further discussions with a government that is not legal,” the BNP leader who is now in London said during a press briefing there.

The video of the briefing was posted on YouTube on January 5.

“I congratulate the democracy loving people of the country, party men and grassroots leaders of the 18-party alliance for boycotting and protesting the farcical election,” Tarique said during his immediate reaction after the 10th parliamentary election in Bangladesh.

Mired by violence, the national election was held yesterday with Awami League securing a landslide victory, winning 102 out of the 147 seats up for the election.

The election was held in just 147 constituencies out of 300 in 59 districts out of 64 of the country amid boycott by the main opposition, BNP, and its allies.

Tarique, the eldest son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, also reiterated his party's stance on not joining the general election without a caretaker government, saying that the 18-party combine’s all-out movement will continue until their demand is met.

“An impartial caretaker government is the only solution. The target of our movement is to reflect the demand of the democratic people by reinstating the impartial caretaker government system,” he said during his nearly 10-minute briefing.

Tarique claimed that more than 20 people were shot dead by the government on January 5 election, with numerous others being injured.

“Attacks on the people of Bangladesh sadden me. But to make such sacrifice significant, we will have to reach our destination at any cost,” the BNP leader said.

Asked why he did not participate in the ongoing movement, Tarique said he was unable to do so since he is still undergoing treatment in London.

“I urge the partymen and leaders of the party to make sure that my absence does not become a drawback to install Bangladeshi nationalism,” he said.

Terming the election a complete farce, Tarique claimed that every country and media in the world are supporting the BNP-led 18-party opposition’s movement.

The BNP leader said that as a result of the farcical polls, now there is no side called government, “its anti-people, autocratic power against the people”.

He particularly singled out the law enforcers and administrative officers who were on duty during the January 5 polls, inquiring about their allegiance.

“You saw the government’s malpractice, now ask your conscience- who are you working for and who are you against?”

“Are you loyal to a government that lacks support from the people, or to the oppressed people?”

“When less than two percent of country’s people get the opportunity to exercise their voting rights after five years and among which most are activists and cadres of the ruling party, then isn’t it time to think again about your duties and activities?” said Tarique during the briefing.

“We fought in 1971- it was a movement to free the country from invaders. This time, the movement is to reinstate democracy in the country,” Tarique insisted.