Opposition leader Khaleda Zia on Monday proposed a poll-time government comprising 10 advisers from the 1996, 2001 caretaker governments. The head of her poll-time government will be selected on the basis of government-opposition consensus. Khaleda’s came up with the proposal two days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed an all-party poll-time government comprising lawmakers from both the ruling party and the opposition.
“In 1996 and 2001, under the non-party and neutral caretaker governments, two credible elections were held, in which all parties participated. The advisers of those caretaker governments were praised by all for their neutrality. The Awami League won one of those elections while the BNP the other. I am proposing that from those 20 advisers, the ruling party can propose five names and the Opposition another five. They will be the advisers in the forthcoming election-time government. I propose that on the basis of a consensus between the government and the Opposition parties, a respected citizen of the country can be chosen as the chief adviser of the interim government,” the former premier said while unveiling her proposal at a crowded press conference at the Westin Hotel in the city.
The BNP chairperson expressed her optimism that the Prime Minister would accept her proposal in the interests of peace, stability and democracy, and she would take effective steps to quickly hold discussions between the two parties on this matter. She mentioned that if necessary, the interim government can be elected by Parliament in the same way the President, the Speaker and women MPs are elected.
Rejecting Hasina’s proposal for the formation of an all-party government, Khaleda pointed out that whatever the Prime Minister had said in her address to the nation was not aligned to the hopes and aspirations of the people as it “will not ensure a credible, free, fair national election in which all parties will participate”.
Khaleda was highly critical of the PM’s speech, adding that the Constitution the Prime Minister is referring to has been amended by her government as per its will, which has resulted in the present crisis.
“She has blocked the road to credible elections and paved the way for depriving the people of their voting rights. She has not clarified as to who will head the all-party election-time government proposed by her.”
Khaleda alleged that through her proposal, the Prime Minister had invited the Opposition to participate in an uneven competition by keeping power in her own hands, keeping the MPs in place, and keeping the administration in her tight grip.
“This is not acceptable to the people. She has left no room for any discussion on the popular demand for an election-time non-party neutral government and has made a proposal which is convenient only to herself.”
Explaining the reasons behind the submission of her alternative proposal, the Opposition leader said the only advice the Prime Minister has sought from the Opposition parties is a date for the elections.
“The nation is frustrated by her statement. I still feel the matter can be resolved through discussions. The sooner these are held the better. That is why, in line with the hopes and expectations of the people, I would now like to place on behalf of the BNP and the 18-Party Alliance a specific proposal for consideration by the Prime Minister,” she added.
Expressing her eagerness to end the current political crisis through peaceful discussions, she said, “We do not want confrontation. We want compromise. Not autocracy but democracy.”
The Opposition leader also made it clear that she would not engage in vendetta against those who have been involved in wrongdoings against her family members in the past.
“I announce in unequivocal terms that I forgive those who in the past have unfairly treated me and my family and have made personal attacks, and continue to do so. We shall not take any vengeful steps against them even if we form the government in future. I assure you that I will look ahead to focus on the business of providing a brighter and more secure future to Bangladesh.”
Calling upon all to create change in the prevailing political culture, she said, “We must change the way we debate these differences and insist on civil discourse rather than personal attacks. Personal attacks serve no useful purpose and the citizens are the ultimate losers, because the business of governance takes a back seat and only results in political stalemate and inaction.”
“Our government will be a government of talent and merit, a government of national unity,” she iterated.
Painting a grim picture of the country under the present government, she said, “A tragic succession of events has occurred in the last few years. The Rana Plaza collapse, which killed over 1,000 workers, not only stunned the nation, but shook the conscience of the world. The scandals involving Hallmark, Destiny and the Padma Bridge not only reflect the unimaginable scale of corruption in the country, but have also tarnished our image abroad.”
“The indiscriminate attack on the Hefazat rally, the Pilkhana massacre, unabated extra-judicial killings, the abductions and enforced disappearances of Elias Ali and Chowdhury Alam, the murder of labour leader Aminul and many other political leaders and workers, have all shaken the nation to the core.”
She vowed to fight terrorism if voted to power and said, “We are committed to ensuring that Bangladesh’s territory will never be used for domestic, regional, international or any other form of terrorism.”
Urging all to give up the politics of character assassination, she said, “The Prime Minister, in her address to the nation, has spoken ill of me, my government, my party, my family, and my political office.
I do not wish to make any counter statement. Despite having the facts and evidence, I will not level any allegations against the Prime Minister, her family members or relatives. I believe enough is enough. The people of Bangladesh do not want to hear any of this anymore.”
-With The Independent input
