A senior BNP leader has alleged that the government’s decision to ‘ban’ political rallies in Dhaka for next one month is a ploy to prepare the ground for imposing a state of emergency.
“They have banned rallies and meetings to repress the opposition. All they are left with is to impose a state of emergency,” MK Anwar said at a programme on Monday as the government’s decision ran into stiff criticism even from within the ruling Awami League.
Anwar is a member of the BNP Standing Committee.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, however, on Sunday said ‘the government for the sake of maintaining law and order won’t allow any political party to undertake any political programme in the aftermath of cyclone Mahasen that might encourage acts of sabotage and damage to public life and property’.
Anwar said, “The government is trying to repress the people by using fear. They want to grab power again by holding an election which they can influence.”
“I am challenging the head of the government, if you are sure of your popularity, then contest from any other area. Organise a referendum and find out whether you have any support. You will understand what the people want,” Anwar said.
The BNP would be fine with a non-party interim government even if the caretaker government was not available, he said.
“But the BNP will not go to any election with an Awami League leader heading the interim government. That election won’t be allowed to take place.”
Statements of the leaders of the ruling party over the non-party polls-time government were also ‘confusing’, Anwar said.
“Different leaders are making different remarks,” he said,” Some are saying the Prime Minister will head the interim government. [LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam] has said that the election will be held according to the Constitution. But discussion can take place to determine who will be the government head.”
Anwar said: “I will tell Syed Ashraf, make yourself clear on what you want. The people will give positive reaction if you are right. Otherwise, they will oust you [the government] through movement.”
Anwar was speaking after a special prayer held at the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters seeking early recovery of BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, now undergoing treatment at the National University Hospital in Singapore.
Fakhrul flew to the city state on May 14 for better treatment.
Source: Bd news24