Banning political parties through executive order will have dire consequences: Salahuddin

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said that the consequences of banning any political party through executive order will take the form of dangerous political practices in the future.

He made the comments while talking to reporters on contemporary issues at his residence in Gulshan on Tuesday (September 16).

Salahuddin Ahmed said that if political parties are to be banned through executive order, 28 parties associated with dictatorship will also have to be banned. Who will be the ones to hold the elections then? The purpose of such initiatives may be to take additional benefits for themselves, and the agitators may demand more party bans. This will undermine national unity and the fallen forces will take advantage.

The BNP Standing Committee Member said that if someone goes beyond the national interest for political reasons or for the greed of getting a few more seats, it will lead to dire consequences.

He said that those who have announced the protest programme demand the implementation of the July Charter. The implementation process is under discussion. The people will see how much movement is appropriate at such a time.

The BNP leader warned that the answer will be given on the ground, saying: "We are against the PR system in all areas, high and low. They should go to the people with a manifesto, and implement their ideas with a mandate. The issue of banning political parties should be resolved through the judicial process, not through an executive order."

Salahuddin Ahmed said that electing members of parliament through direct voting is a tested method. Apart from that, if someone wants elections through the proportional representation (PR) system for political interests or for the greed of getting a few more seats, it will bring terrible consequences for national life."

He believes that if a stable government is not formed through elections at the right time, national security as well as regional security will be threatened.

The senior leader of the party also said that BNP will support the proposal that the constitution will be amended through the parliament through a legal process. However, BNP will not encourage any process that will create anarchy in the country in the future.

Salahuddin Ahmed said that any problem can be solved at the negotiating table.