BNP made no demand for caretaker government, says Asif Nazrul

He says it only urged the interim government to act “neutrally”

The BNP did not demand the formation of a caretaker government during its meeting with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, according to Law Advisor Asif Nazrul.

Speaking at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Nazrul said the BNP leaders had instead urged the interim government to play a “neutral” role, similar to that of a caretaker administration.

A BNP delegation held an hour-long meeting with Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday, ahead of the parliamentary polls scheduled for February.

After the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they had demanded the interim government be “modelled after a caretaker system”.

“We met the chief advisor to discuss several political concerns,” he added. “With the national election due in February next year, it is essential to make it meaningful, neutral, and acceptable to all.

“For that, the interim government must now take on the form of a caretaker government.”

Clarifying his remarks, Fakhrul said: “By caretaker government, we mean the functions typically performed by such an administration. To achieve this, the first requirement is to make the civil administration completely neutral and accountable to the people.”

When asked about this, Nazrul replied: “The BNP has not asked for a caretaker government. They said the interim government should act like one. They want neutrality.

“We have said we are being neutral. The chief advisor has assured that we will continue to be.

“As for the civil administration and what comes next, the chief advisor will handle that personally.”

Asked if any party raised the issue of downsizing the election-time government, he said: “No such demand has come from any side.”

On the allegation of political recruitment in public administration, Nazrul said: “We don’t believe it happens that way. Every party accuses us. One says it’s filled with their rivals, the other says the same.

“That means we are working neutrally.”

He referred to the appearance of 15 Army officers before the International Crimes Tribunal as an example of proper cooperation with international judicial standards, crediting the military administration, senior officers, and the Army chief for facilitating the process.

Their respect for the rule of law, he said, was commendable.

He said the decision on where the detained officers would be kept was entirely up to the home ministry.

Asked about public confidence in the upcoming election, he said: “I don’t know if there’s a lack of trust among people on the ground. But political divisions and the way leaders talk about each other could be a factor.

“However, once we see real progress in implementing the July Charter, all doubts will eventually fade,” he added.