BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said both reforms and elections are very important for qualitative changes of state, politics and political parties.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion joining virtually from London. The discussion was organized on the occasion of 46th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh auditorium at Ramna in the capital on Wednesday (January 1) afternoon.

The BNP Acting Chairman said some vested quarters have raised the question whether the reforms or election should get first priority. But, the BNP and other patriotic political parties think that such a question has been raised being ill motivated. Rather, the BNP thinks that both reforms and elections are essential for qualitative changes of state, politics and political parties. In order to make the existing system a time-befitting one, reform is an inevitable ongoing process.

Tarique Rahman said people get the scope of exercising their voting rights through an election which ensures political power of people in a state. BNP thinks that if the people`s political and economic power cannot be ensured in a state, democracy, and human rights will ultimately not be sustainable.

He observed that the interim government has taken measures to reform in some major areas of the state. Reforms are certainly important. Because of it, the interim government has taken some major reform programmes. However, if the sufferings of people mount behind the reform initiatives, people may subsequently raise their voices against the interim government`s reforms initiatives.

Tarique Rahman observed that conspirators would certainly take the advantage of destroying the spirit of 2024 Mass Uprising if the interim government show failures in their reform initiatives or plans. They have already tried to destabilise the country`s situation several times.

The BNP Acting Chairman said there is nothing to be worried about the formation of new political parties in the country. BNP welcomes any decision for the welfare of the state. Those who are afraid of coming face-to-face with people, they want to create obstacle to hold the elections.

He also directed the BNP leaders and workers not to be confused by any misleading propaganda.