Election-time government likely to be formed in October: Quader

An election-time government may be formed in October, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said.

“After the announcement of the general election schedule, the polls-time government will be formed. It is likely to be in October,” he said responding to a question from the media after a meeting at the secretariat on Wednesday.

According to the existing constitution, election for the 11th parliament must be held within 90 days of the expiry of the 10th parliament. Accordingly, the next general election will be held between Oct 30 and Jan 28.

Revealing that the election-time government will be smaller in size, Quader, also Awami League general secretary, said: “The cabinet size will be small. There is no need for a large cabinet. The decision rests with the prime minister.”

The polls-time government cannot take any major policy or decision, he said adding that its only task is to do routine work or take the ongoing work forward.

About the BNP’s threat to start broader protests, Quader said, “I know there will be no movement in the country. People will not respond to the BNP’s call for protests.”

On a question whether the government will hold a unilateral election, he said, “Any boycott of the election by the BNP doesn’t make the polls unilateral. Other parties will not wait for the BNP this time. Many parties will take part in the election and make it inclusive.”