No Reforms, No Election: NCP Leader Warns During Talk Show Appearance on ‘Thikana’
- Abdul Hannan Masud says restoring democracy needs reforms, not elections under old rules.
- “If everything continued under the old rules, a mass uprising wouldn’t have been necessary.”
Speaking on the YouTube talk show “Thikana with Khaled Muhiuddin,” Abdul Hannan Masud of the National Citizens Party (NCP)” said the party is not against elections. However, he stressed they must not be held without fair reforms and proper conditions.
“I personally want to contest and win in an election to join Parliament. But if everything continues under the old rules without reform, then a mass uprising wouldn’t have been necessary,” Masud stated during the live broadcast, aired at 11 AM New York time (9 PM Bangladesh time).
Need for Consensus on Reforms before Election
Masud emphasized the urgency of political reforms, adding that the faster consensus is reached on these changes, the sooner elections can be held.
He warned that elections under the current system would dishonor the July movement. He compared it to the incomplete goals of 1971 and 1990. “Elections without justice for the July killings or breaking the fascist Awami League would be meaningless,” he said.
Debate Over Interim Government and Political Crisis
Another guest on the show, writer and political analyst Faham Abdus Salam. He spoke about the interim government, rising political instability, and the need for a power transition through elections.
Referencing CPD fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya’s recent remark — “There is a government within the government” — Faham said:
“This is expected when an unelected regime lacks legitimacy. Multiple power circles naturally form within such a structure.”
He criticized the government’s lack of coordination, noting, “Each adviser makes conflicting statements. Recently, two advisers were held for 9 hours at Milestone School. That says a lot about the situation.”
Call for Elected Government to Restore Institutions
Faham further argued that the interim government is incapable of resolving the crisis and must pave the way for a legitimate election. He stated:
“Sheikh Hasina has systematically weakened state institutions. Rebuilding them is only possible through a truly elected government.”
Faham expressed concern that both Jamaat and NCP seem uninterested in elections. He stressed that polls must take place, but only under fair conditions.
