PM’s remark deepens crisis: BNP

The BNP is in despair over Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks against its loud demand for a nonpartisan interim election-time government.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 18 August 2013, 02:45 PM
Updated : 18 August 2013, 05:54 PM

Her announcement of holding the next general election under the present Awami League-led government has deepened the political crisis, said acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday.

In an immediate reaction, he told reporters, “Everyone had hoped today that the Prime Minister will show the way-out of the current crisis and give positive directions. But unfortunately, there is nothing like that in her statement.”

“Her remarks over the next polls have only intensified the political crisis. This is clouding Bangladesh’s future.”

At a press conference earlier at the Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister said, “The Constitution will not be amended before the election. (We) amended the Constitution with people’s mandate. The election will be in line with the Constitution. I will not move an inch.”

But Mirza Fakhrul hoped the government will ‘come to its senses’.

“The government should take initiatives to resolve the crisis by sitting with all political parties and hold the elections under a nonpartisan government.”

The parliamentary elections are set to be held under the incumbent government in accordance with the amended provisions of the Constitution.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been leading long campaign for restoration of the caretaker government while repeatedly stating that her party will not take part in any election under a political government.

The 15th amendment to the Constitution that scrapped the caretaker provision came from a court of law but the BNP claims it is a ‘process’ by which the ruling party wants to retain power.

File Photo

Fakhrul said, “The government is trying to lead the country towards uncertainty and conflict in a planned way. They are speaking about holding a one-sided election.”
The BNP spokesperson protested the Prime Minister’s claim that his party was not accepting the court’s verdict. “I would like to tell the Prime Minister that there were two parts of the verdict where it said two more elections can be held under the caretaker government.”
“But the government has covered that up and is pushing the country towards a dark tunnel.”
He reiterated the party’s stance on not taking part in the polls with a political government in power and criticised Hasina over her claims of development works in the country.
She gave a list of development, but the people realised that they were not benefitted by those, he said.
However, the former State Minister for Agriculture congratulated Bangladeshi scientists over their success in decoding the genome sequence of the traditional variety of jute.
The Prime Minister had made the announcement at the start of the press briefing.