Dhaka – Awami League leaders on Friday reiterated that there would be no compromise with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over holding the next general elections as per the country’s constitution.
“Caretaker government system is now a dead issue. It will not return in the country even for an hour. So no talks or compromise over the issue,” said Qamrul Islam, state minister for law, justice and parliamentary affairs.
He was addressing a discussion meeting on ‘The next general elections and the conspiracy of BNP-Jamaat’ organised by Bangabandhu Academy at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in the city.
Referring to the opposition’s movement, Qamrul Islam said no movement would work to restore caretaker government system to oversee the next general election. The next polls must be held in the line with the country’s constitution.
Describing BNP as a party of anti-liberation force, AL leader alleged that BNP was issuing warning to wage a tough movement in a bid to create anarchy in the country as per the prescription of Inter Service Intelligence (ISI).
Meanwhile, Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif said the next general elections will be held as per the constitution which the other democratic countries follow for holding their elections.
Terming the caretaker government system as undemocratic, Hanif said, “There is no country in the world where such undemocratic system is followed to hold a general election, then why will we follow the system?.”
Rejecting the opposition demand for restoring caretaker government system by amending constitution, AL joint general secretary said, the constitution of the country would not be amended at anyone’s threats. The country will run as per the constitution, he added.
Hanif, also a special assistant to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said this while talking to reporters at Daulatpur Upazilla, Kustia, after visiting a river erosion site here.
Expressing his optimism that the main opposition BNP would participate in the next general election, he said the warning of movement is an evil strategy of BNP in order to save their leaders Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko from corruption cases.
In a separate meeting Awami League advisory council member Suranjit Sengupta said that the Election Commission will hold the next general elections in line with the constitution in a free fair and credible manner.
“AL believes in democracy and the continuation of constitutional process. So, AL would not amend the constitution at anybody’s dictation,” he said while addressing a discussion at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city.
The Awami League leader said, “Ball is now in the BNP’s court. Now, BNP should decide whether they will participate in the next polls or crate anarchy in the name of movement.”
Calling upon the opposition to join the next polls, Suranjit said the people of the country will decide through the next general elections that who will go to power.
Criticising BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir for his recent comments that AL would find no way to flee, Suranjit, also the minister without portfolio, said, “its not a political speech.”
