National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has urged the BNP to learn from what he described as a “historic mistake” by former president Ziaur Rahman, who allowed the Awami League to return to politics.
“We would urge the BNP to learn from Ziaur Rahman's history. He made a historic mistake by allowing the Awami League to return to politics,” Nahid said while addressing a regional coordination meeting in Gaibandha on Friday.
He accused the BNP-led government of creating opportunities for the Awami League’s political rehabilitation, warning that the party should not repeat the mistakes of the past.
Nahid also questioned the government's commitment to accountability for alleged crimes committed during the Awami League's rule. He criticised delays in implementing the July National Charter and holding a referendum on its proposals.
“The BNP is in power through force, but it cannot remain in power through force,” he said.
Nahid criticised the BNP government over the implementation of the July Charter and the outcome of the referendum, saying the government could not ignore the referendum's mandate simply because it held a parliamentary majority.
“The BNP is in power through force, but it cannot remain in power through force,” he said.
He argued that implementing the referendum's outcome and the July Charter was essential for the government to complete its five-year term.
Nahid said NCP representatives had taken their oaths in accordance with the July Charter implementation framework and were participating in efforts to establish the proposed constitutional reform mechanism.
He accused the BNP of resisting the reforms despite commitments made following the July uprising.
On local government elections, Nahid alleged that the BNP was delaying the polls until conditions became favourable to the ruling party.
He claimed the government was attempting to bring local institutions under partisan control to improve its electoral prospects.
He said the NCP and its 11-party alliance had held discussions with the Election Commission and submitted proposals for changes needed to ensure credible local government elections.
Nahid also clarified that the 11-party alliance was not merely an electoral arrangement but an issue-based political coalition pursuing shared reform objectives.
He said the alliance would continue political programmes, both jointly and independently, to press for the implementation of the July Charter and other commitments arising from the mass uprising.
Asked about Samanta Sharmin's resignation from the NCP, Nahid said the party had discussed the issues she raised several times before and after the February election.
“We had discussed the issues she raised several times before and after the [February] election and explained our position to her,” he said.
“Despite that, she has resigned. We have nothing more to say about it. We wish her well,” he added.
Samanta resigned from the party citing concerns over its alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, the marginalisation of women in party leadership and changes to the central committee without a party council.
She also questioned whether the NCP could break away from traditional political practices even if it ended its alliance with Jamaat.
Nahid made the remarks at the Gaibandha Zila Parishad Auditorium during the regional coordination meeting, organised to review the party's organisational progress and prepare for upcoming local government elections.
He attended as the chief guest, while NCP leader Sarjis Alam was the keynote speaker. Local party leaders and activists also attended the meeting.