Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has stressed that despite some shortcomings, the interim government must not be allowed to fail.
"We must remember that the failure of this government is the failure of all of us," he said, cautioning the government to avoid becoming the cause of its own downfall.
Speaking as the chief guest at a rally in front of the BNP's central office in Naya Paltan on Tuesday (September 17), joining virtually from London, Tarique highlighted the importance of supporting the interim government.
The event, presided over by the party secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, was organised to mark World Democracy Day.
Tarique criticised the previous government, which fled following a student-led uprising, for not only crippling the economy but also dismantling constitutional institutions.
He emphasised that the current interim government was born from a mass uprising fueled by the blood of thousands of martyrs.
While not all of its actions may be universally praised, he iterated that its failure would represent the collective failure of the pro-democracy movement in Bangladesh.
"People will not allow this interim government to fail, despite various provocations, both domestic and international," said Tarique.
He, however, urged the government to take care not to cause its own demise.
He further explained that a government formed through popular uprising must remain a government of the people.
He stressed that while public support remains strong, accountability is ultimately ensured through an elected parliament.
Therefore, the interim government must prioritise reforms that lead to the establishment of a democratically elected government and parliament, he said.
Tarique called for reforms to be implemented with the goal of creating an accountable government, emphasising that sustainable development and democracy are only possible when people are directly involved in the political process.
He concluded by saying that political empowerment of the people can only be achieved through free, fair, and impartial elections that protect every voter's right to vote.