The poll-time government’s finance minister, AMA Muhith, yesterday dropped hints that the new government would not stay in power for five years.
“I don’t think the new government will stay in power for five years. Another general election could be held any day after the formation of the new government on January 24,” he said.
Talking to journalists after a visit to the under-construction bridge on River Surma in Sylhet, Muhith said it was incumbent on the government to hold a free and fair election.
“The government is determined to hold a fair election. The election commission has already made all preparations to conduct the polls. Despite the oppositions’ objections, the election will be acceptable to all,” he added.
The minister said the January 5 general election would be held on time to uphold constitutional continuity, but the BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia does not obey the country’s constitution, which is why she would not participate in the polls. “It’s very unfortunate.”
In reply to a query, Muhith said another
parliamentary election could be held after the January 5 polls, with the participation of all political parties, including the main opposition BNP.
Meanwhile, in a separate programme in the capital, environment and forest minister, Hasan Mahmud, said that a new government will be formed through the January 5 general elections and its main objective would be to curb terrorism and militancy in the country.
“Controlling terrorist and destructive activities will be the major task of the new government,” Hasan said, while addressing a discussion meeting organised by the Bangabandhu Academy at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
He also said the leaders and activists of BNP-Jamaat amalgam would not be allowed to unleash violent activities across the country, on poll day.
He alleged that the BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is engaging terrorists to carry out violent activities, to foil the January 5 election. But, the aim of the new government will be to remove such disturbing elements from the country within two weeks. The new government would not spare them.
He also alleged that the BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son, Tarique Rahman, do not want a compromise. “On the contrary, Tarique Rahman wants to create anarchy in the country,” he added.
Addressing the same discussion, state minister for law justice and parliamentary affairs, advocate Qamrul Islam, called upon the opposition to return to the path of compromise, shunning the path of confrontation.
“The opposition will not be able to secure their demands by stoking destructive activities across the country. If they want to meet their demands, they will have to come to the path of compromise,” he claimed.
He also reiterated that the January 5 general election would be held for the sake of constitutional continuity in the country.
-With The Independent input
