The BNP on Monday warned that the ruling Awami League would be held responsible if an “unconstitutional force” captures state power. “We don’t know anything about Premier Sheikh Hasina’s apprehension over unconstitutional forces seizing state power. But we’re telling frankly that she would be held responsible if such an incident takes place in the future,” said BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The opposition spokesman was reacting to the Premier’s statement on Sunday that all political parties needed to remain alert to thwart an unconstitutional force from grabbing power. She had made the remark after the oath-taking of the GCC mayor and councillors in her office.
Alamgir threatened that the countrymen would launch an intensive movement to demand polls under a non-party caretaker government (CG). “We believe that good sense would prevail upon the government immediately. Otherwise, a movement must be waged to meet the demand,” he warned. “So far, three general elections have been held under the CG system. Sheikh Hasina herself came to power by winning a general election supervised by a non-party caretaker management. Despite this, the Premier has refused to accept our demand,” Alamgir said, after laying wreaths on the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
The BNP leader said the people of the five city corporation areas had sent a no-confidence message to the ruling Awami League during the recent civic polls. “This is their mandate in favour of the CG restoration demand,” he added.
Alamgir also criticized the government for arresting Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary of a human rights organisation, Odhikar. He described Khan’s incarceration as “the government’s undemocratic mentality”. “The government should ensure his immediate and unconditional release,” he added.
-With The Independent input
