Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman and former minister Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed has urged the government to take timely action and remain cautious, warning that it could face serious consequences if it continues to ignore concerns.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman must understand that, ultimately, responsibility for everything will fall on him. Those currently standing beside him will leave when trouble arises, and no one will accept responsibility.

“I urge you to act while there is still time; otherwise, you will be in trouble,” he warned.

Oli Ahmed made the remarks while addressing the inaugural rally of the 11-Party Alliance’s Dhaka-Khulna-Jhenaidah-Kushtia long march at the south gate of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram in the capital on Saturday (October 31).

He said they had been trying for months to draw the government’s attention to various issues through meetings and public gatherings, but little progress had been made.

He stressed that their concerns were not driven by personal interests. Rather, based on past experiences, they wanted the country to move in the right direction.

According to Oli Ahmed, clear rules and proper systems must be established for every government office and position. He argued that no country can progress without an effective institutional framework.

Referring to Europe and the United States, he said that institutional systems there ensure continuity and accountability regardless of who becomes president.

He alleged that Bangladesh lacked such effective systems and claimed that since the current government took office, district offices, district councils, corporations, city corporations and municipalities had effectively turned into BNP offices.

Allegations of Political Influence in Government Institutions

Raising concerns over alleged partisan influence in public institutions, Oli Ahmed claimed that certain groups were using these institutions to control government tenders, occupy commercial spaces and interfere in various administrative and business activities.

Addressing the Prime Minister directly, he warned that the ultimate responsibility for the government’s actions and failures would fall on him.

He further alleged that those currently supporting the Prime Minister would abandon him during a crisis and deny any responsibility.

Oli Ahmed said he had repeatedly warned the Prime Minister, but his advice had gone unheeded, with the government continuing to make one mistake after another.

Warns of a Possible Repeat of the 1996 Political Crisis

Speaking about the role of the opposition, Oli Ahmed said it was the opposition’s responsibility to help keep the ruling party on the right track, adding that they were fulfilling that responsibility.

However, he warned that ignoring the opposition’s advice could lead to a serious political crisis.

Referring to the BNP government’s refusal to accept the caretaker government system in 1996, he cautioned that a similar situation could emerge again.

He urged the government not to wait until circumstances became so difficult that it would have to pass legislation through overnight parliamentary sessions.

Calls for Advice from Experienced People

The LDP chairman also urged the government to seek advice from capable and experienced individuals.

He said there was little benefit in consulting inexperienced or unqualified people and advised the government to work with those who possess the necessary knowledge and expertise.

He concluded by saying that their ultimate wish was to see the country and its people living in peace.

Among those present at the rally were Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party Ameer Maulana Abdul Qayyum Sobhanie, Amar Bangladesh Party President Mujibur Rahman Manju, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party Vice-President Engineer Rashed Pradhan, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Bangladesh Development Party Chairman Advocate Anwarul Islam Chan, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Secretary General Mufti Fakhrul Islam, and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir Central President Nurul Islam Saddam, along with other senior leaders of the 11-Party Alliance.