BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged the government to restore a non-party caretaker provision to the constitution so that all political parties could have a level playing field in the election race. “There is no alternative to restore the non-party caretaker government (CG) provision to the constitution. Please, realise the demand and create a level playing field without wasting time,” Alamgir, also the opposition party spokesperson said while addressing a function at the National Press Club.
Zia Smrity Pathagar arranged the discussion titled ‘Grantha Adda’ (Gathering of Book Lovers) at the National Press Club on Thursday afternoon.
Darkness is everywhere. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. The government should restore the CG system without ignoring people’s interest and plunging the country’s democracy into an anarchical situation, he said.
Alamgir has criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for saying she does not understand what for BNP wants holding of the next general election under the CG management.
“I want to ask her (Hasina) as to what was it that she waged the movement demanding restoration of the CG system to the charter in 1996 for? The stand Hasina took then has to be clarified before the nation,” he said.
Alamgir said the civic body election and general poll are not similar matters. Considering this, the government should meet the CG demand, he added.
Earlier in the day, PM Sheikh Hasina, addressing a meeting with her partys grassroots-level leaders from Pirojpur district, said if any CG comes to power again it will not be possible. Hasina questioned the logic behind BNP’s demand for restoration of the caretaker government.
Reacting to the Prime Minister’s remarks, Alamgir said Hasina used to speak against the unconstitutional government but she welcomed the Fakhruddin-Moeenuddin-led illegal government claiming it as the result of their movement. Alamgir assailed her for making false statements against Shaheed president Ziaur Rahman and police attack on Hefajet-e-Islami activists during their demonstration at Matijheel Shapla Chattar on May 5.
Character assignation of Ziaur Rahman has been committed in the parliament. The ruling party lawmakers are presenting him as a villain in the history without any justification, he alleged.
“PM said the Hefajat men took to the streets splashing red colour over their bodies pretending to be dead but fled when police came. It is nothing but a mockery. I don’t know who has given her the right to ridicule the nation,” Alamgir said.
Quoting from a book written by US President Barack Hossain, Alamgir said politics is not a transparent and clean matter as its fundamental aim is to gain power anyhow.
-With The Independent input
