BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday warned that their party will resist any attempt if any non-political and undemocratic third force tries to emerge taking advantage of the present political standoff.
“We don’t believe in undemocratic third force. We never, ever supported non-political and undemocratic third force, and won’t do it in the future. Instead, we’ll make a strong resistance against the emergence of such evil force,“ he said.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while exchanging views with reporters at a ‘Meet-the-Press’ programme at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
He, however, said if any political party or front can surface as a third force with public support and confidence, they will surely welcome it.
The BNP leader also hoped that the government will take steps to resolve the current political stalemate created following the annulment of the caretaker government system.
The BNP spokesperson focused on various issues, including caretaker government, student politics, government’s failures, extrajudicial killing, RMG unrest, Rohingya refugees, war crimes trial, anti-government campaign and BNP’s organisational affairs at the programme held with DRU president Sakhawat Hossain Badsha in the chair.
About BNP’s participation in the next general election, the BNP leader said, “There’s no alternative to taking part in the election. But the election must be held under a non-party caretaker government accepted to all.”
Stressing the necessity of the caretaker government, he said political parties in the country were yet to earn mutual trust and people also accepted non-party interim administration as dependable system to hold a free, fair and neutral election.
When his attention was drawn to the AL general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam’s remarks that BNP either will have to go to court or get two-thirds majority in the next polls to have the caretaker government system restored, Fakhrul said they need not to got to court but the government must restore it as they annulled it without having full judgment of the court.
Addressing a meeting of Dhaka City Awami League on Wednesday, Ashraf said, “There’re two ways left for BNP if it is aggrieved by the apex court’s verdict: “Either they (BNP) will have to appeal to the court seeking a review of the verdict that annulled the caretaker government or will have to have two-thirds majority in the next general election to amend the constitution and restore the rescinded system.
On May 10, 2011, the Supreme Court declared illegal the 15-year-old constitutional provision that mandated an elected government to transfer power to an unelected non-partisan caretaker administration to oversee a general election on completion of its term.
Since then, the main opposition BNP has been demanding the restoration of the system.
Blaming the government for creating the ongoing political stalemate by revoking the caretaker government system with an evil-political motive, he urged the government to take steps without further delay to resolve it through discussions.
Asked whether they have any proposal or format about the election-time interim administration, he said the there was a format which they had inserted in the constitution. “But as the court proscribed the immediate retired chief justice from becoming the chief adviser to the caretaker government, we can solve the issue and devise a new format through dialogue.”
Replying to another question, Fakhrul said his party will take initiatives to stop extrajudicial killing if it is voted to power.
About the ongoing trial for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971, Fakhrul said, “BNP wants the trial, but it cannot be politically motivated in any way and it has to be ensured that the accused get justice.
Voicing satisfaction over the reopening of garment factories in violence-hit Ashulia, he said, “We all have the responsibility to save the garment sector as it is the lifeline of our economy. The government must act as a guardian to resolve the crisis.”
Responding to a question, he said there might have a hand of any foreign or neighbouring country in the RMG sector unrest in this very competitive world market but his party does not have any specific information about that.
Recalling the glorious past of student politics, he said at present 80 percent students do not like politics. “It’s an ominous sign for politics. If the meritorious students become apolitical who will lead the nation in the days to come?” he questioned.
About Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and LGRD Minister Syed Ashraf’s claims about Jamaat’s link to Rohingya crisis, Fakhrul said he thought the ministers were speaking unguardedly. “If they have specific information they should prove it and take action accordingly.”
Replying to a question, the BNP leader said his party is avoiding violent programmes like hartal willfully to come out of hartal culture. “But, unfortunately the government has taken the gesture as our weakness. We hope that the government will meet our demand for restoration of the caretaker government considering the country’s overall situation.’’
In response to another question, he said, “I’m happy that the Prime Minister has come down to 175 seats from 265. I welcomed her this realisation. I suggest her to try to read the language of people’s eyes and wall writings.“
He also alleged that the government was trying to suppress the movement of the opposition through filing false cases against its leaders and activists.
“The government has filed false cases against 12,000 opposition leaders and activists since we’ve launched a movement after the enforced disappearance of Ilias Ali and put hundreds others behind bars. This doesn’t bode well for democracy, he said.”
Addressing a demonstration in front of BNP central office, Fakhrul said the government will not be able to suppress their ongoing movement by resorting to arrest and oppression.
He also demanded immediate release of the detained opposition leaders, including Jubo Dal and other front organisations leaders.
He also demanded immediate withdrawal of the cases filed against them terming those ‘false’ ones.
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal organised the programme demanding the release of its detained leaders, tracing out of missing BNP leader Ilias Ali and restoration of the annulled caretaker government system.
Source: UNB Connect
