We made concessions on all matters out of fear of failing to hold poll: Salahuddin

During the interim government, the BNP and its allies in the simultaneous movement reached an agreement on all issues due to their concerns about the inability to hold elections, emphasizing the necessity for reforms, stated Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.

He mentioned that they chose to remain silent on numerous matters to facilitate the elections and also endorsed the July National Charter.

He expressed these views while engaging in the discussion regarding the motion of thanks presented in response to the President's address in the National Parliament on Thursday (April 30).

In reference to the implementation order of the July Charter, the minister remarked, "When the President issued an unlawful and unconstitutional directive, the BNP standing committee convened a press conference in Gulshan. I asserted that none of us, including the BNP and our allies in the simultaneous movement, are prepared to accept anything other than the July National Charter. We believed that if they obstructed the elections under the guise of reforms, we would concede on all fronts and endorse the July National Charter."

The Home Minister stated, "If we are unable to manage the current situation on social media in the name of freedom of expression, and if we do not exercise self-control, I am uncertain about the direction in which we will lead this nation. Some individuals are within the country, others are abroad, and some are at home. It appears that they possess the sole freedom of speech in the world while we are all portrayed as innocent individuals. If we respond, further abuse will ensue. If this disgraceful and damaging trend of implicating the Prime Minister along with his wife and daughter under the pretext of freedom persists, we will struggle to progress. Our culture will deteriorate. Religious values will be compromised. Lawlessness will prevail."

Addressing the NCP, the Home Minister remarked, "I wish to convey to my new colleagues that a party has been eradicated while betraying the spirit of 1971. It has been compelled to escape. We must not commodify the spirit of July for political gain. July is a shared legacy. We should embrace its spirit without seeking personal accolades. Everyone in the anti-fascist democratic movement deserves its credit. We are all partners."

The Home Minister noted the formation of a shadow cabinet by the opposition party, stating, "I have been informed that they have established a shadow cabinet. This brings two advantages. Firstly, it enhances the sense of responsibility, and secondly, there is a sense of joy in being a minister. We extend our congratulations to them. I believe I have a direct counterpart in the form of the Home Minister Shadow. Let us, as a shadow ministry, share information with one another. We will maintain communication and engage in discussions."

In response to the assertion made by opposition deputy leader Abdullah Muhammad Taher regarding banks, Salahuddin Ahmed stated, "Jamaat does not possess a bank." He continued, "However, when you (Jamaat) speak, you are claiming credit. It is beneficial to have a bank. Why deny it? It is essential to clarify who holds what percentage of shares."

Regarding the Reform Commission, the Home Minister commented, "Some prominent intellectuals with gray hair arrived from abroad for reforms. Upon their arrival in the country with baskets filled with money and some miraculous reforms, we later developed the July National Charter during discussions in the Reform Commission. It was stated that there was no issue of Note of Dissent. The decision regarding Article 70 was made on the very first day - the July Charter will be created with the Note of Dissent. It was signed with that Note of Dissent. You signed it. We did as well. Let us implement that July Charter."

The Home Minister further stated, "I discovered something new today - our esteemed Member of Parliament Abdullah Muhammad Taher is a child freedom fighter. I extend my welcome to him. I appreciate that our opposition leader claims to be from a martyr's family. There are also some freedom fighters associated with that bank."

Thanking the President, the minister said, "I thank him for playing the role of guardian of the state in the absence of a government from August 5 to August 8, 2024."

He said that the interim government had the support of two parties inside and outside. One group was inside the Jamuna, the other group was outside. They can now say, what a beautiful day we had before. Now we don't. How did what was good before suddenly become bad? This is a contradiction."