Fouzul outlines two-pronged ‘formula’ to avoid controversy over advisors' neutrality

He proposes issuing an ordinance to prevent advisors of the interim government from holding lucrative positions in the next administration

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Advisor Fouzul Kabir Khan has proposed issuing an ordinance to prevent advisors and other key appointees of the interim government from holding lucrative positions in the next administration in an effort to avoid controversy over neutrality.

He outlined the proposal in a Facebook post on Friday following meetings between Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and political parties, where questions were raised about the impartiality of several interim government advisors.

Sharing three related photo cards, the advisor wrote: “During meetings between the chief advisor and three political parties, questions were raised about the neutrality of advisors. My name also appeared in one party’s list.

“In my own defence, I can only say that I am not in the habit of thinking or making decisions with bias. I have always made decisions on behalf of the government without being influenced by personal liking or disliking.”

On Tuesday, a BNP delegation met the chief advisor and demanded that the interim government take on the character of a caretaker administration ahead of the national election.

After the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters that the interim administration must be structured in the style of a caretaker government to ensure that the national election, expected in February next year, is meaningful, neutral, and acceptable to all.

He also said the administration must be made completely neutral and accountable to the people.

The following day, delegations from the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Jamaat-e-Islami held separate meetings with Yunus, during which they reportedly raised concerns about the activities of several advisors.

Amid these developments, and in an effort to avoid further controversy, Fouzul suggested a legal measure to ensure transparency and impartiality in the interim administration.

“Since questions have been raised, they must be resolved. To that end, I believe an ordinance could be issued stipulating that the chief advisor, advisors, special assistants, and all officials appointed on a contractual basis under the interim government shall not be eligible to hold any lucrative positions in the next elected government, regardless of which party forms it. This could offer a solution to the problem,” he said.

“However, this provision shall not apply to those who resign from the interim government before the election schedule is announced.”