Online Desk:
National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and Dhaka-11 constituency candidate with the Shapla symbol, Nahid Islam, in his televised election address to the nation, termed the existing state system as discriminatory and unjust and expressed a firm commitment to establish a just ‘state of justice’.
In his address broadcast on Bangladesh Television (BTV) at 7 pm on Sunday (February 8), Nahid Islam said that the political and social settlement that has developed in Bangladesh in the last 55 years since independence was based on inequality. This inequality is not only economic; it was deeply rooted in every level of political power, social status, judiciary, law enforcement and distribution of opportunities. Although a privileged group associated with the governance of the state has changed their fate, the common people, the working class and the marginalized communities have remained deprived.
He said that the July 2024 revolution was a mass uprising against this discriminatory arrangement. But the beneficiaries of the old system are trying to bring back that unjust structure. NCP’s fight will be to finally overthrow this system of oppression and the culture of impunity.
Disappearances, murders and torture will be tried
Nahid Islam alleged that during the last 15 years of fascist rule, the entire state machinery has been used against the people through disappearances, murders, torture, false cases and attacks. The police, RAB, intelligence agencies, administration and judiciary were used for party interests.
He said that if the NCP is able to form the government, all human rights violations committed during the fascist rule will be investigated and tried and no criminal will be given immunity.
Announcement to bring back looted money from banks and development projects
Nahid Islam said that during the fascist regime, about 234 billion dollars or 30 lakh crore taka was smuggled abroad, which caused terrible damage to the country’s economy. The businessmen, bureaucrats and political groups involved in this looting will be brought back to the country by bringing them under the law.
He said that there is a plan to seize the looters’ assets and use them for the welfare of the people through a public trust.
Announcement to avoid a knee-jerk foreign policy
Regarding foreign policy, Nahid Islam said that during the fascist regime, Bangladesh was bound by a knee-jerk and dependent foreign policy. If the NCP comes to power, an independent, balanced and self-respecting foreign policy will be adopted by prioritizing national interests.
He promised to revive SAARC, join ASEAN, strengthen relations with the Muslim world and ensure the protection of Bangladeshis abroad.
Radical reform of law and order and judiciary
Nahid Islam said that the police force was turned into a party force. If the NCP comes to power, the police force will be restructured and transformed into a public security institution serving the people.
At the same time, he pledged to ensure justice by freeing the judiciary from political and financial influence.
Strict stance on commodity prices, agriculture and market system
Nahid Islam spoke about breaking the syndicate to control commodity prices, ensuring fair prices for farmers and adopting a zero tolerance policy against adulteration. He announced the expansion of OMS activities to bring transparency in the market system and taking strict action against middlemen.
Women, minorities and civil rights
In the speech, the promise was made to ensure 100% women’s rights, respect for the security and culture of religious and ethnic minorities, and protect personal freedom. He said that Bangladesh will never be Afghanistan; Rather, a balanced, liberal and religious state system like Malaysia and Turkey will be built.
Decentralization is the future
Nahid Islam said that the strong center must be broken and power must be spread to the periphery. The NCP’s goal is to return the power of decision to the people by strengthening the administration, justice and law and order system at the upazila and union levels.
In the last part of his speech, he appealed to the countrymen and said, “If the NCP is given the opportunity to build a state of justice, fairness and human dignity, Bangladesh will enter a new chapter.”
