Dr. Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmad Bir Bikram, the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has had a notable political journey in Bangladesh. When Ziaur Rahman founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Colonel Oli still had nine years of service left in the army. However, he decided to leave the military and join the BNP. He played an active role in the movement against the Ershad government and eventually became a member of the BNP Standing Committee.

Colonel Oli Ahmad was appointed Minister of Communications during the formation of the BNP government in 1991. During his tenure, construction work for the Jamuna Bridge was initiated, marking a significant infrastructure development project.

After a prolonged political career with the BNP, Colonel Oli Ahmad and former president A.Q.M. Badruddoza Chowdhury established the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on October 26, 2006. However, A.Q.M. Badruddoza Chowdhury later parted ways with the LDP and formed a new political party.

Recently, Colonel Oli Ahmad shared his views on the ongoing political landscape and movements in Bangladesh, including the campaign to boycott Indian products, in an interview with Bangla Outlook's Dhaka representative.

Bangla Outlook: The movement to boycott Indian products is ongoing through social media. BNP has expressed solidarity with that movement. What are the thoughts of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as an anti-government political party?

Oli Ahmad: The anti-government political parties continuing the agitation and struggle on the streets believe that the Indian government has openly supported the ruling Awami League government. The people of India are not involved. The Indian government has destroyed democracy in Bangladesh. So, in this situation, those in the opposition believe that Indian products should be boycotted. No one made this decision alone; everyone made it unanimously. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "Should we burn the sarees of mothers and daughters at home?" We did not ask to burn what is in someone’s house. We have asked for a boycott from now on. We have nothing to say regarding what is already in someone's room. We have been talking about boycotting Indian products since we began this movement. However, to be clear, we have no complaint against the people of India. India should develop relations with the people of Bangladesh, not with any particular group or broker.

Bangla Outlook: India has been accused of interfering in Bangladesh's elections in the last three elections. What is your opinion?

Oli Ahmad: We have stated that India has blatantly interfered in the last three elections. Sujata Singh and many others have arrived. They have appeared in newspapers. Because of this, 18 crore people in the country live helpless lives. The people of the country are facing extreme hardships due to this blatant interference by India. The country's people want India to refrain from such activities and build relationships with the country's people.

Bangla Outlook: Not only the boycott of Indian products, BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has gone a step further and urged the people of the country not to go to India. What is your stance on this?

Oli Ahmad: We have not called for people to not go to India. Our call is only for the boycott of Indian products. And I demand that Indians who are illegally in the country should return to their own country.

Bangla Outlook: There is speculation in the political arena that you are becoming the interim general secretary of BNP. Is there any truth to this?

Oli Ahmad: I have also heard such rumours in the political arena. However, no one in the leadership of BNP has discussed this with me, nor has anyone proposed it to me. In 1984, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia wanted to appoint me as the General Secretary of BNP and even made me wait at the residence of one of her relatives, MR Chowdhury, for this purpose. At that time, I said that I would work, but I was not suitable to fulfil the duties of the General Secretary. To become the General Secretary of the BNP, you must manage 60-70 thousand taka in your pocket to look after the party activists. For the second time in 1989, she wanted me to become the General Secretary of our party. However, I was reluctant to serve as General Secretary on the same grounds. And now, I am not fit to perform the duties of BNP General Secretary because I am old.

Bangla Outlook: You said that the movement would continue even after the election, but it is not visible.

Oli Ahmad: The movement has paused due to Ramadan. We don't want to trouble people during Ramadan. The country's people have been suffering a lot for the past 15-16 years, so I don't want to cause trouble during the month of Ramadan again. Let the people pray to Allah for deliverance from their unbearable suffering. This, too, is a part of our program.

Bangla Outlook: Due to India's attitude, neighbouring countries like the Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and many others are leaning towards China. Will you politically lean towards China to reduce or counter India's influence?

Oli Ahmad: Due to India's wrong policies, countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Nepal are all leaning towards China. China has acquired 75 percent of Bangladesh during the current government's tenure. We have not been consulted. We are not attempting to communicate. We want neighbouring India to move in the right direction, understand the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh, and resolve the issues they have created in Bangladesh. They should strive to establish democracy in the country.

Bangla Outlook: Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader and some other ministers say India helped them stay in power.

Oli Ahmad: Obaidul Quader directly stated that they are in power with the help of India. Sujata Singh came to Dhaka and said that the election will take place whether anyone votes or not. India has admitted that they supported the Awami League. The Awami League has revealed that India helped them. There is no room for doubt. The whole of Bangladesh, and indeed the whole world, knows that democracy in Bangladesh has been destroyed because of India. The governments of India and Bangladesh have clarified this and testified to it. Now, Bangladesh has to bring India to the correct position. India has to take measures to restore democracy.

Bangla Outlook: Do you expect any official statement from the Government of India regarding the 12th National Assembly Elections?

Oli Ahmad: India has not made any statement about the 12th National Assembly elections because it was involved. Several Indian government officials visited the country before the polls and met with Awami League leaders. India needs to engage with the people of Bangladesh and take the necessary steps to establish democracy.