BNP standing committee member Rafiqul Islam Miah on Friday asked the party leaders and activists to take all-out preparations even to go to jail for waging a strong movement after October 24 if the government does not restore the caretaker government system by the time.
“Desh Netri (Khaleda Zia) will announce the line of action if the government doesn’t accept our demand for restoration of the caretaker government by October 24. We all will have to get ready to make the movement a success. We’ll have to remain ready even to go to jail,” he told a discussion.
All Community Forum, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the discussion, titled ‘The country is in great crisis due to politics of division’ at the Jatiya Press Club.
Rafiqul said it will not be possible to realise the caretaker government demand without a well-organised movement.
The BNP leader said a level-playing field will not be created if the election is held keeping parliament in place. “The people of the country want to see the participation of all parties in the polls. But we won’t join the election if parliament is not dissolved.”
Alleging that the government is trying to hold the polls keeping the cabinet and parliament functional with a motive to hang onto power, Rafiqul said they will in no way allow holding the election under a partisan administration.
“The election must be held under a non-party caretaker government amending the constitution if the government wants to protect democracy,” the BNP leader said.
He was also critical of the incumbent Election Commission branding it as the government puppet.
“This commission has turned into a government subservient institution. They want to arrange the polls as per the desire of the current regime. A fair election is not possible by this Election Commission,” the former minister added.
Source: UNB Connect
