The BNP-led 18-party Opposition alliance has called a daylong countrywide hartal on Sunday, demanding restoration of the caretaker government system, release of its arrested leaders and activists. It is also to protest against the “ban” on rallies and processions.
The BNP chairperson’s adviser, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, announced the shutdown at a press briefing at the party’s headquarters in the city’s Naya Paltan area on Friday. Dudu, also a spokesperson of the main Opposition BNP, said the “unofficial ban” on demonstrations across the country has compelled the Opposition alliance to call the hartal.
At a function in Chittagong on May 19, home affairs minister MK Alamgir had announced that the government would not allow any rally or public meeting for the next one month anywhere in the country. The announcement sparked a debate in the political arena.
Dudu iterated the Opposition’s demand that the next elections be held under a non-partisan caretaker government. “If the government doesn’t arrange for talks on poll-time government, the matter will be settled on the street,” he said. Criticising the comments of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina regarding a former adviser to the caretaker government, Dudu said: “I thought the Prime Minister was intelligent. She hailed Akbar Ali Khan when he resigned from the post of adviser and wished to cook food for him. What happened within a couple of years that forced her to take a hard stand against him?”
He asked the Prime Minister if she has quite forgotten her own efforts for restoration of the caretaker government system. “Have you forgotten how many hartals you called to restore the caretaker government system,” he asked Hasina.
Dudu also criticised the statement made by Awami League presidium member Mohammad Nasim on BNP senior vice-president Tarique Rahman and claimed that it was incorrect. He said Tarique would return home soon and lead the ongoing movement. Dudu said no corruption charges had so far been proved against Tarique.
Among others, BNP leaders Sanaullah Miah, Masud Ahmed Talukder and Abdul Latif
Joney were present at the press conference.
-With The Independent input
