BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman Calls for Non-Cooperation Against Alleged Government Illegitimacy in Bangladesh

In a significant address to the nation on Wednesday, BNP's acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman delivered a compelling speech, calling for widespread non-cooperation with what he described as the "fascist Hasina's illegal government." Rahman's speech, which touched on various aspects of civic life, urged citizens to unite in an effort to establish a participatory, democratic, and constitutional government through the vote of the people.

Key Points from Tarique Rahman's Speech:

Non-Cooperation Call: Rahman appealed to all levels of officials in administration and patriotic citizens, urging them not to cooperate with the current government, which he deemed illegitimate. He emphasized the importance of establishing a government with a mandate from the citizens.

Boycott of 'Dummy Election': The BNP Chairperson called for a boycott of the scheduled 'dummy election' on January 7, characterizing it as a mockery. He asserted citizens' democratic right to abstain from participating in the election and discouraged them from going to polling centers.

Concerns About Election Process: Rahman claimed that the list of Members of Parliament for the January 7 election had already been prepared at the Prime Minister's residence, raising questions about the fairness of the electoral process.

Financial Non-Cooperation: Citizens were urged to suspend payments, taxes, fees, and utility bills to the current government as a form of non-cooperation. Rahman expressed concerns about the alleged misappropriation of funds by the government, particularly through banks.

Legal Non-Cooperation: Referring to what he termed as "fabricated and fictitious cases," Rahman advised individuals accused in such cases to refrain from appearing in court. He alleged that the government had undermined the freedom of the judiciary.

Appeal for Unity: Rahman invoked the spirit of Bangladesh's independence in 1971, urging citizens to join the movement to reclaim the freedom of the nation and its people. He called for unity across partisan lines, emphasizing the need to rise above political, religious, and caste identities.

Vision for a Democratic Future: The BNP Chairperson concluded his speech by expressing confidence that by keeping the alleged illegitimate government out of power, a free, fair, impartial, and participatory election could be achieved in the country.

As attention grows around Rahman's call for non-cooperation, the response from both citizens and officials to this appeal against the existing government remains uncertain. This speech sets the stage for a heightened political atmosphere in the upcoming weeks, potentially reshaping the political landscape in Bangladesh.

During his address, Rahman declared that the elections of 2014 and 2018 directly violate Article 65(2)(11)(7) and 148 of the Constitution. According to him, the current government led by Prime Minister Hasina is deemed completely illegal, undemocratic, and unconstitutional. He asserted that the administration is under no obligation to adhere to any orders from this allegedly illegal government. Moreover, Rahman emphasized that the citizens are not obliged to cooperate with what he described as the illegitimate government of Prime Minister Hasina. He went on to state that citizens are not even obligated to contribute taxes to this purportedly illegitimate and anti-people government.

The upcoming election scheduled for March 7, 2024, will not see participation from major political parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.