Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, a Standing Committee Member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), asserted that those who fear elections have no place in politics. Instead, he suggested that such individuals might be better suited to functioning as pressure groups or NGOs, rather than participating in mainstream political activities.
He made these remarks on Sunday, 27 July, at a discussion event held at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU). The programme was organised by the Bhasani Janashakti Party and Bhasani Followers’ Council, marking the first anniversary of the July Revolution.
Khasru stated:
“One cannot claim to be a politician while simultaneously rejecting participation in elections. Such behaviour hinders the democratic process.”
He drew comparisons with other countries, noting:
“In nations where elections were delayed following revolutions, the result was often division, civil war, and ultimately, failed states. Conversely, countries that returned to democratic elections promptly achieved financial, social, and democratic progress.”
Points from Amir Khasru’s Speech
| Issue Addressed | Statement by Amir Khasru |
| Election participation | Politicians must engage in elections; avoiding them undermines democracy. |
| Alternative roles for election-shy individuals | They may serve as NGOs or pressure groups, but not as politicians. |
| Historical context | Delay in elections post-revolutions has historically led to national failure. |
| Need for national consensus | While disagreements are normal, unity is essential on national issues. |
| Current political direction | Emphasised: “We are not heading towards one-party rule or reviving BAKSAL.” |
| Shift in public mindset | Citizens now think differently; those who fail to understand this have no political future. |
Khasru further underscored that to drive meaningful change in Bangladesh, political actors must remain engaged with the public and attuned to their aspirations:
“To bring change, one must stand with the people and take political initiatives that reflect their desires.”
The BNP leader concluded by urging for tolerance in political discourse and warned against authoritarian tendencies, emphasising the importance of maintaining democratic pluralism in the country’s governance.
