report in Prothom Alo, Sep 04, 2018
BNP on Monday voiced frustration over prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s comment on the 11th parliamentary polls, saying it has manifested the government’s intention of establishing one-party rule instead of ensuring an inclusive election.
Talking to reporters after attending a programme at Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) auditorium, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the nation has got disappointed with Sheikh Hasina’s press conference comments as she turned down people’s main demand of holding the next polls under a non-party administration.
“The prime minister is pursuing a path of establishing a one-party rule. We didn’t find her intention of accepting people’s verdict. She also has no plan to take steps for creating a level-playing field and equal scope for all the parties to ensure a participatory election,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has again started arresting BNP leaders and activists across the country to hold a lopsided election. “A fair election can’t be held if you (Awami League) carry out unilateral campaign by arresting opposition leaders and activists.”
Fakhrul said people had an expectation that the prime minister at her Sunday’s press conference would come up with some positive comments on creating a democratic atmosphere for holding a credible election in the greater interest of people, but she has failed to do so.
“The prime minister’s comments over people’s rights and the national election have frustrated the entire nation. Holding a fair election under an impartial government is now people’s main demand, but she has rejected it as she said everything will happen as per the constitution,” he observed.
The BNP leader said the constitution is a manmade document, and it can be amended anytime in people’s interest. “You (govt) have repeatedly amended the constitution to protect your own interests.”
On Sunday, prime minister Sheikh Hasina at a press conference said she will neither take any step for bringing BNP to the election nor obstruct it from joining the polls. “There’s no question of holding discussions with them (BNP), no matter who says what.”
She also turned down BNP’s demand of holding the next polls under a non-party administration, saying Bangladesh will follow the system practised in India and Britain.
The press conference was arranged to brief the media about the outcomes of her just-concluded visit to Nepal for attending the 4th BIMSTEC summit.
Sought his comment on the prime minister’s refusal to hold any dialogue with BNP, Fakhrul said she did the same in 2012-13, but finally forced to invite Khaleda Zia for talks.
He also said they will unite people and realise their all demands by foiling the government’s all ‘evil designs’. “People are our strength.”
Earlier, speaking at Youth Forum’s Bangladesh Youth Parliament programme at the SCBA auditorium, Fakhrul urged the young generation to come up to take the country forward, and build a happy prosperous and democratic Bangladesh.
He criticised the government for what he said repressing those students who waged movements seeking quota reform and safe roads.
Fakhrul urged the youth to turn around braving all obstacles to take the country to the right track.
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/news/182772/Hasina-prefers-one-party-rule-not-inclusive
Comments are closed.