Industries, Housing and Public Works Minister Tofail Ahmed on Thursday
said Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is “not pressing for”
caretaker government anymore, but for the replacement of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina. “BNP has no further issue. Even they’re not
demanding the caretaker government anymore. They’re only demanding
that the current Prime Minister be replaced by anyone else,” he said.
“This is totally impossible.” Tofail made the observations to the
reporters after his meeting with Canadian High Commissioner in
Bangladesh Heather Cruden at the Housing and Public Works Ministry.
He said that during the dialogue between Awami League (AL) and BNP,
leaders of both the parties swapped their demands to place those to
their respective party chiefs. The Minister said that further
meeting was to be held between the leaders after getting the opinions
of their respective chiefs. Asked whether there is any possibility
to postpone the 10th parliamentary polls, he said there is no scope to
shift the election from January 5 as it was fixed by the Election
Commission (EC) in the election schedule. The 10th parliamentary
polls must be held by January 24 to abide by the constitution, he
added. Tofail said the Awami League leaders have stated their stance
on the 10th national election to the BNP leaders during the dialogue.
“We’ve stated during the dialogue, there is no scope to defer the
election from January 5,” he said. “We’ve also stated that there can
be no fruitful discussion unless the blockade is stopped.” Asked
about his meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner, Tofail said it
was a courtesy visit. In the meeting, the Canadian High Commissioner
has expressed concern over the recent violence in the country,
according to Tofail. The Canadian High Commissioner has also
stressed for an inclusive election, he said. – UNB
