BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed on Friday urged the government to reach a mutual understanding with the opposition over the non-party caretaker government (CG) issue, so that the next general election could be held in a free, fair and impartial manner.
“Following the ruling party’s debacle in the recently held civic body polls, the government should come to an understanding with the opposition over the CG issue. Otherwise, it’ll face dire consequences in the next national election,” he said. Moudad was addressing a discussion on “propaganda against Zia’s family members and reality”, organised by Shadesh Jagaran Parishad, at the National Press Club on Friday. He said the countrymen had rejected the ruling Awami League-backed mayoral candidates in the recently held civic body poll due to the government’s utter failure to run the country in a proper manner.
“We’ll get the same results if the national election is held right now. There is still enough time for the government to adopt the path of mutual compromise over the CG issue. Otherwise, the ruling party should prepare itself to face dire consequences,” he warned.
Moudud said the ruling Awami League was trying to replace the CG system, but it would not be allowed to do so.
“Our party’s stand is very clear. We want the next general election to be held under the CG provision. We’ll extend our cooperation if the government comes forward with the issue,” he added.
The path of mutual compromise and politics of confrontation remain open to the ruling Awami League, Moudud said.
“The ruling Awami League will pay heavily in the future if it does not aim to reach a mutual compromise with political opponents,” he added.
Moudud said the ruling Awami League would commit a big mistake if it holds the next general election under the Hasina administration.
“We’ll wage a mass upsurge across the country and force the government to meet our CG restoration demand,” he said, adding that talks over the chief of the election-time administration could take place with the government.
He asked the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, to envelope herself with sorrow before finding out the causes behind the recent debacle in five city corporation polls.
“The ruling Awami League hasn’t been able to ensure good governance. People have given a befitting reply to the government in the civic body polls,” he added.
He said an evil quarter was active in the ruling party politics. “No one can trust any pledge given by the Awami League,” he added.
BNP leaders Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Abdus Salam and others spoke at the discussion, with Kanruzzaman Selim, president of the forum, in the chair.
Meanwhile, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged the government to reinstate the non-party caretaker government (CG) provision in the Constitution in the interest of democracy.
“Please don’t try to impose alternative thoughts instead of CG. We will refrain from taking part in the next general election if it is held without non-party CG oversight,” Alamgir said.
He was addressing an Iftar party hosted by Khelafat-e-Majlish, a political component of BNP-led 18-party alliance at a hotel in the capital on Friday.
Alamgir also the BNP spokesperson claimed that at least 95 percent people of the country want holding of the next general election under the supervision of a non-party CG management.
“The government will be forced to meet the CG restoration demand in the face of mass movement if the people’s demand is not realised,” he said.
He criticised the premier Sheikh Hasina for citing Britain as reference for holding national poll and said Britain is a completely democratic country whereas there is no sign of democracy in Bangladesh.
Alamgir also criticised the government for presenting Bangladesh as a militant country across the world.
Terming the countrymen as profoundly religious, Alamgir blamed the government for diverting peoples’ attention to another direction through annulling the absolute trust on the almighty Allah from the preamble of the constitution.
“It is nothing but just a mockery with the nation. The government has tried to impose its own thoughts on the people deliberately doing so,” he added.
He said people of the five city corporation have given an appropriate answer to the government. The same feedback will be paid forcing it to restore the CG provision to the Constitution, he warned.
Alamgir called upon his party men to be united under the leadership the party chief Khaleda Zia as there is no alternative way but to wage a tough movement to meet the CG restoration demand.
BNP leaders Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Abdus Salam, JAGPA chairman Shafiul Alam Prodhan and others were present at the Iftar party.
-With The Independent input
