Dhaka: BNP Chairman's Advisory Council member and Prime Minister's Political Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapon accused the 11-party alliance, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, of plotting to create instability through street programmes such as a long march. He made these remarks on Saturday during a roundtable discussion in the capital, urging citizens to remain vigilant against unnecessary attempts to take parliamentary debates to the streets.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Swapon emphasized the potential dangers posed by both domestic and foreign forces that may exploit unstable situations. He noted that political parties might not fully understand their actions and that such programmes are contrary to the aspirations of the public, especially when Parliament is functioning satisfactorily.
Swapon, who recently joined as the Prime Minister's political adviser, highlighted that the current government has managed to set a new direction for the country, following decades marked by authoritarian practices and a fragile social structure. He pointed out that while immediate changes are not feasible, the government has initiated specific policy measures aimed at ensuring sustainable growth in the long run.
Addressing the energy crisis, Swapon attributed the challenges to long-term import dependence and flawed policies in the power and energy sectors. He criticized previous administrations for not taking sustainable measures to utilize natural resources and labeled this as a long-term betrayal of the nation. Nevertheless, he assured that the current government is taking responsibility by seeking alternative energy sources and reducing import costs.
Swapon also stressed the importance of an effective Parliament in maintaining democratic culture. He warned against the quick transition of parliamentary debates to street protests, which he believes undermines the democratic political culture. The opposition, he noted, has a duty to hold the government accountable while contributing to a dynamic and meaningful parliamentary democracy.
The roundtable discussion, titled 'Review of the First 180 Days of Bangladesh's Democratic Government: The Context of Governance, Accountability and Development,' was organized by Citizen Forum Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Initiatives (BCAI) at the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) auditorium. The event was chaired by UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed and moderated by Dr. Shakhawat Hossain Sayantha. It featured contributions from Former Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Chowdhury, Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Professor Kamrul Ahsan, human rights activist Shirin Huq, alongside politicians, academics, and researchers.