Running party with convicts contradicts BNP’s own reforms proposal

Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh, Iftekharuzzaman, has said that keeping Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman – sentenced by the court – in BNP's top leadership "contradicts" the party's 27-point outline for state reform, which includes a stance against corruption, and is a sign of "moral decay".

"What they [BNP] have is actually a wish list," he told media.

The TIB executive director observed that BNP is talking about taking a bold position against corruption and at the same time running the party with convicts in top leadership.

When in power, people do not consider themselves "guilty" – this is a common practice in the political system of all countries, Dr Iftekharuzzaman noted. "They think only their rivals commit corruption. And when the opposition is in power, they do the same."

Referring to BNP's 27 points, he wondered whether the party has the capacity to implement them.

"Considering BNP's history and its experience with the people of the country, it can be said that political parties make manifestos. When they come to power, the picture is different, however. In that sense, this is a wish list. Although, many of the issues mentioned are important for Bangladesh," he added.

On December 19 last year, BNP announced a 27-point outline of 'Structural Reform of the State' — proposing radical changes to the state system including balancing the executive powers of the president, prime minister and the Cabinet, and introducing the upper house of the legislature.