Rangpur: Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) central joint member-secretary Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad has articulated that despite changes in government, the underlying culture of extortion remains unchanged, merely adapting with new actors. Speaking at a ‘Meet the Press’ event organized by the Rangpur metropolitan unit of AB Party at the Rangpur Public Library Hall, Barrister Fuad highlighted the continuity of extortion practices across Bangladesh’s markets and public spaces.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Barrister Fuad emphasized that the list of those involved in extortion has shifted, yet the systemic issue persists under political protection. He expressed that while the AB Party refrains from participating in such politics of occupation, the entrenched culture remains prevalent.
Addressing the complexities of proportional representation elections, Barrister Fuad noted that such elections could pose challenges for those with limited education and understanding. He acknowledged the potential fo
r these elections in more developed areas but stressed the need for comprehensive discussions among political parties regarding the model and implementation of such elections.
Barrister Fuad further commented on the demands of the 60 million youths from the July 2024 Revolution, noting their call for governmental reforms rather than immediate elections. He underscored the necessity for the government to engage in dialogue with youth, political parties, and civil society to pave the way for future reforms and elections.
Reflecting on the country’s current state, Barrister Fuad remarked on the unprecedented collapse of state structures since the liberation war, highlighting the ineffectiveness of institutions and the absence of elected representatives. Despite these challenges, he noted the interim government’s efforts over the past 100 days, describing its performance as not entirely unfavorable.
On the issue of border killings, Barrister Fuad cited a significant reduction in such incidents in the past thre
e months, attributing the change to the interim government’s proactive engagement with the Indian High Commissioner, a step not taken by the previous regime.
The event was attended by AB Party central leaders Abdul Haque and Anwar Sadat Tutul, Rangpur district unit Member-secretary Enamul Haque, and other local leaders and activists.