BNP senior leaders on Monday called the President’s dialogue with political parties on reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC) as nothing but a ‘drama’ to hold another ‘farcical’ national election.
Speaking at a discussion, they also said no EC will be able to hold a credible and fair election as long as Sheikh Hasina remains in power as the prime minister, reports UNB.
“The Awami League government has revoked the caretaker government system by force. A drama has now started for the next election. It’s first staged today (Monday) at Bangabhaban,” said BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.
He said the President started the talks to form a search committee for the reconstitution of the Election Commission. “This’s nothing but a mockery. We saw the Election Commission play the role of a rubber stamp in the last three elections.”
The BNP leader said the current government is the main barrier to holding a fair and credible election in the country. “So, a non-party government has to be formed ousting the current regime for creating an atmosphere for a credible election.”
BNP arranged the discussion at Mahanagar Natya Mancha in the capital, marking Victory Day. Mosharraf addressed the programme as the chief guest with party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair.
BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said it is a ‘proven fact’ that no fair election can be held under any Election Commission if Sheikh Hasina stays in power.
“The President’s dialogue is a joke. There’s no question of taking part in such a dialogue,” he observed.
BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the President’s dialogue is a deceptive move to form the Election Commission as per the ruling party’s choice through a search committee.
“Those who will remain with this deception are the enemy of Bangladesh, democracy and people,” he added.
President Abdul Hamid kicked off the dialogue with registered political parties today to discuss issues relating to the reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC). The dialogue formally began with Jatiya Party at Bangabhaban.
AL anti-liberation force
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Awami League has now turned into an anti-liberation force.
He also said the nation has been celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence with shame for the failure to establish a democratic country as per the hopes and aspirations of the freedom fighters.
The BNP leader described their party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia as the first female freedom fighter of the country as she along with her two children had been there in cantonment jail till December 16, 1971, after being arrested by the Pakistani army.
“You’ve now unlawfully kept her (Khaleda) confined by implicating her in false cases. She’s now fighting for life,” he said.
Fakhrul said Awami League used to carry out a campaign of massive development of the country, but the number of poor people is growing while the poor are becoming poorer. “Only a small group of people are becoming rich with the backing of the Awami League.”
He also said the government has destroyed democracy and all political institutions in the country. “All must get united and create a mass upsurge to get rid of the current situation of the country defeating the monstrous regime.”
