Revolutionary Workers Party Warns Interim Government Against Foreign Control of Seaports

Leaders of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh have said that handing over the country’s seaport management to foreign companies in the name of “better management” is not the responsibility of an interim government.

They made the remarks on Friday (October 24) at a rally organized by the party at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

Senior party leaders also said that the interim government supported by their movement has failed to grasp the true significance of the mass uprising, resulting in the loss of a historic opportunity over the past 14 months to build a humane and egalitarian society and state.

Speaking at the rally, Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, said that during this critical moment of democratic transition, there is no room for reckless actions. He emphasized that justice and reform should pave the way for a national referendum and general election in February, which would mark the next phase of the country's democratic journey. All political forces that supported the mass uprising, he said, must now act responsibly to achieve this goal.

Saiful Haque further said that it is unfortunate the interim government has failed to understand the meaning and aspirations of the mass uprising. As a result, over the past 14 months, the immense potential for establishing a just and humane society has been wasted.

He alleged that after assuming power, some sections of the government became driven by greed and self-interest, while at the same time, they incited similar greed among key participants of the mass uprising. Due to a lack of wisdom and foresight, he said, the government could not use the unprecedented support it received from political parties and the public. “Instead,” he added, “they mistook this support for weakness.”

The party general secretary said that the success of February’s upcoming national election and referendum, as well as the implementation of the July Charter, largely depends on the government’s political goodwill. He urged the authorities to abandon any partisan behavior and ensure inclusive participation in holding free and fair elections. “Only a credible national election in February can truly free this government,” he said.

Addressing the Election Commission, Saiful Haque warned, “We no longer want to see money play a role in elections. If the same money games and muscle power continue, the next parliament will once again become a club for the wealthy and business elites.”

Party political council member Bahnishikha Jamali said that in the past 14 months, poverty, unemployment, job losses, and hunger have increased, while people’s real income has declined. “People are struggling under skyrocketing market prices,” she said, adding that misogyny has taken new forms during this period. “Because of the patriarchal mindset of political parties, a decision to allow direct election of women to parliament could not be made.”

Another political council member, Akbar Khan, said that transferring management of Bangladesh’s seaports to foreign companies under the guise of modernization is not the duty of an interim government. He urged the government to immediately withdraw from any step that goes against national and public interests.

The rally began with the singing of the national anthem and tributes to the martyrs of the July–August mass uprising.

The rally and the following mass procession were organized in support of eight key demands, including:

• Ensuring people’s livelihood and basic needs
• Ending market syndication and price manipulation
• Reorganizing the administration for free and fair elections
• Ensuring neutrality of the government and Election Commission
• Eliminating terrorism, extortion, and land grabbing
• Stopping the process of transferring port management to foreign companies
• Realizing the aspirations of the mass uprising
• Ensuring a democratic environment for elections

After the rally, a mass procession was brought out by party leaders and activists, marching through High Court, Topkhana Road, Dainik Bangla intersection, Naya Paltan, and Bijoynagar, before concluding in front of the party’s central office at Segunbagicha.