‘Law Minister will outline interim govt in Parliament’

Speaking at a discussion on Friday in Dhaka, the Presidium member urged the opposition to come up with its proposals on the polls-time administration.

Nasim said: “It’s your (opposition) last chance. Please join the Parliament session. We’ll discuss interim government there.”

Several TV stations and newspapers quoted Law Minister Shafique Ahmed as telling them on Aug 27 that there would be a small Cabinet with incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the helm.

“Opposition members will also be included in that government if they wish,” he had reportedly said.

In reaction to the Law Minister’s statement, BNP Standing Committee member Moudud Ahmed alleged that the government was hatching a ‘new conspiracy’ to amend the Constitution.

File Photo

File Photo

As per the constitutional provision, the next Parliament election will be held between Oct 26 and Jan 24 under the present elected government.

However, the BNP has been opposing the provision and agitating for restoration of the caretaker government system, scrapped through the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.

Speaking at the Friday discussion organised to mark the National Mourning Day that fell on Aug 15, Nasim dismissed the opposition demand for the non-party caretaker government.

“You (opposition) talk about caretaker government. Why will we restore the caretaker government system? All the elections held under the present government had been free and fair. Nobody could raise any question over these elections,” he said.

The former Home Minister alleged that Hifazat-e Islam leaders and activists were instigated to burn holy Quran even after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offered dialogue.

“You’ve missed the chance for discussions (about poll-time government),” he said addressing BNP chief Khaleda Zia.

“We want elections. Bangabandhu (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) had struggled for democracy throughout his life. We won’t do anything against democracy,” Nasim concluded.

Source: Bd news24