Former PM reiterates demand for caretaker government
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson and leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia has demanded that the government restore the caretaker government system by passing a Bill in Parliament in the upcoming session. “There is still time. Parliament will go into its session. You have the majority in the House. So, place the caretaker government bill and restore it to the Constitution, paving the way for holding a free and fair election,” she said, addressing a discussion meeting marking the 33rd founding anniversary of the Jatiyatabadi Secchasebok Dal, her party’s frontal organisation, at the historical Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Monday.
“You claim to have made a lot of progress. So why do you fear an election which ensures equal benefits for all?” asked Khaleda Zia in response to her arch enemy, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has said she will not move from the Constitution by a hair’s breadth.
Khaleda Zia claimed that her party’s demand for restoration of CG had the support of 96 to 98 per cent people of the country and asked the government why it was afraid of creating a level playing field by restoring the system, since it claimed that it had done huge developmental work for the people. “If you are so confident, why are you afraid of restoring the CG? Create a level playing field and let us play. And let the people decide who is the winner.”
“We do not want to take the path of a movement. We want to resolve the crisis through peaceful discussions. So accept our demand for the CG, which is also the demand of the people of the country,” she said, making it clear that the government would have to face dire consequence if it did not accept the opposition’s demand in time.
Referring to Prime Minister Sheik Hasina’s announcement that her government would not budge an inch from its position, the opposition leader said the government’s very existence would be threatened when the people would start exerting pressure. “Yesterday (Sunday) you said that you would not budge the distance amounting to a hair’s width. But such a wind will blow that your hair would be in disarray in that wind. So listen to us. Our demand is very small … restoration of CG. Since parliament will go to session soon, table a Bill for restoration of CG. You have the majority and you can pass it without any trouble. Time is very short and if you waste time unnecessarily, you will have to repent and then we will be also out of time,” the BNP chairperson said.
Khaleda said: “Shun stubbornness, or else you will not only lose your hair, but even your existence will be shaken under the pressure of the people’s movement.” She added, “You’ll have to suffer in the future if you don’t restore the caretaker government system in time. Then we’ll have nothing to do.”
The former premier pointed out that the provision of a caretaker government system was not in the constitution in 1996. “We incorporated it, thinking of the welfare of the people of the country and democracy. Since then, the national election has been held under the system in an acceptable manner.” People have lost all faith in the current AL-led government, Khaleda further claimed. “The people don’t believe that the AL has made any progress.” The opposition chief said the government’s claims of making development had no actual basis.
Going all out against the ruling party, she said, “The Awami League was never truthful. They have been bluffing and confusing people. The Awami League’s nature is looting, killing, abducting and forcible retention of power.”
Khaleda further claimed that Hasina’s party had not been able to implement any of the promises it had made to the people before it was elected. “What a state Bangladesh is in today! They said many a beautiful thing, but implemented none.”
Khaleda Zia expressed her willingness to work in a united manner with the ruling party to ensure continuation of the democratic process in the country.
Referring to the apparent hard line taken by the government over the opposition’s demand, Khaleda said the government was actually panicky as it knew that it had become alienated from the people. “And to boost the party’s rank and file, the Prime Minister has been shouting in a loud voice recently. Do you know what a panicky person does in the darkness of the night? He or she shouts. The Prime Minister and the leaders of her party are doing exactly the same,” the opposition leader observed.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina often refers to the threat of the emergence of another 1/11 and reminded us of the ‘minus two’ formula, but I was never afraid of minus two formulas. During the post 1/11 period, it was you who fled the country but I said that I would not flee as this is my country,” said Khaleda Zia.
She said the government would have to take the responsibility if any untoward situation is created as a result of the non-restoration of a non-party election-time government.
The BNP chairperson said all political parties want the elections to be held under a non-party caretaker administration, but the ruling party wants to hold these under a political government. She pointed out that even the Jatiya Party, a partner of the ruling alliance, has also said that it will not take part in the elections if these were not participatory.
“Then with whom does the government want to hold the elections? No one-party election will be allowed, and it will also not be accepted by the people,” she added.
The opposition leader said the ruling party leaders, including the family members of the Prime Minister, indulged in corruption, and she has the relevant papers.
She also observed that around 5,000 readymade garments factories were shut down and Tk. 50,000 crore smuggled aboard during the four-and-a-half years of the government. “You will not get the scope to enjoy the illegal money,” she added. Khaleda described the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) as being subservient to the government and said the ACC cannot find corruption in leaders and activists of the ruling party.
The former prime minister focused on her party’s plans for development in education, power, employment, agriculture, information and communications technology (ICT), women’s empowerment and communications. “If voted to power, we will construct two bridges on the Padma river, introduce speedy train services between Dhaka and Chittagong, Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-North Bengal,” she said.
Khaleda also pledged to introduce a new trend in politics and new type of government, taking opinions from people.
She expressed her optimism that her party would come to power if a free and fair election is held under a non-party caretaker government.
She condemned the arrest of human right activist Adilur Rahman for revealing the truth and demanded his immediate release. She also criticized the government for carrying out repression on Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman.
The opposition leader claimed that Hefazat-e-Islam has emerged because of the emergence of anti-Islamic bloggers.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the ruling Awami League has become politically bankrupt through its misdeeds. He said the government does not want to hold the elections under a non-party caretaker government, sensing that people do not want to see it in power anymore.
The BNP leader accused the government of establishing one-party government in the guise of democracy.
BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the opposition will not move one step back from its demand for restoration of the non-party caretaker government to oversee the polls.
-With The Independent input
