BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has reaffirmed that the opposition will not compromise on the caretaker government issue.
The opposition spokesperson made the remark on Friday, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina again brushed aside calls for a non-party interim administration to oversee looming general elections.
While he was hopeful about dialogue with the ruling coalition to end the political deadlock, the BNP leader warned that demands will be realised through movement if government did not respond.
Mirza Fakhrul, who came back on Wednesday after medical treatment in Singapore, was speaking to the media at his Uttara residence on the political condition.
He claimed 90 percent of the people wanted national elections under a non-party election-time government. “Our statement is clear, the upcoming elections must be held under a neutral body. We have not moved from this position.”
He said he was in better physical shape, but treatments were going on.
The BNP spokesperson also spoke on such issues as the arrest warrant for BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman and government ‘ban’ on rallies.
Talks a possibility
“BNP is for dialogues to end the current political standoff,” Fakhrul said. “There is no alternative to talks for a democratic system.”
He blamed the government for talks not taking place. “The government is confusing people. They say they will talk and the next moment they say no talks.”
Fakhrul alleged that the Awami League abolished caretaker system to return to power.
“This Awami League had waged movement for the caretaker government. They called 130 days of shutdown at that time. Now in power, they say caretaker government is not valid.”
“I will tell the government, if you agree to a neutral government, then talks can happen. Or else, it will be achieved through movement.”
Asked what the BNP will do without the caretakers, he said, “The people will pave the way if talks do not take place.”
He brushed off criticism about BNP’s silence on the ‘ban’ on political rallies.
“Taking a stride and going back two steps is a strategy of politics. This does not mean we have moved from our caretaker demand.”
The BNP leader said there was no scope to take part in local elections when asked if they will contest the four city corporation elections. “No one is competing under the party banner.”
Source: Bd news24