Bangladesh News

Formation of the caretaker government is likely to take at least two more days as Awami League (AL)-led 14-party coalition has taken a 24-hour time to propose names for the posts of 10 advisers.

Although an eight member coalition delegation led by AL President Sheikh Hasina yesterday held a crucial meeting with Iajuddin, they did not propose any name for the posts.

Hasina asked for time when the president who is also the chief adviser to the interim government requested her to propose some names of neutral personalities for appointment of advisers.

Instead, AL handed over an 11-point charter of suggested immediate tasks for the interim government chief and took a 24-hour time from him to observe what action he takes to prove his neutrality. After observing the chief adviser’s steps, AL will propose the names, party insiders said adding that they are preparing several names to propose.

Immediately after taking oath as the chief adviser to the caretaker government on Sunday night, President Iajuddin Ahmed sought cooperation from all political parties for forming the interim government.

President’s Press Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman Chowdhury told reporters yesterday that Hasina requested the president not to bring in former advisers again in the new caretaker government. He also said other parties already submitted lists of their proposed names.

Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is scheduled to meet the chief adviser today. BNP sources said they already gave the chief adviser a list of 10 names immediately after the oath-taking ceremony in Bangabhaban on Sunday night. They said they will finalise the list before the party chairperson meets Iajuddin today.

Jatiya Party (JP-Earshad) and Jamaat-e-Islami also proposed to the president several names. Talking to The Daily Star a JP leader said they proposed three names.

Talking to The Daily Star last night Jamaat’s Assistant General Secretary Abdul Quader Molla said they also proposed names for advisers already. He however declined to disclose the names and the number.

Eminent journalist Ataus Samad, Dr Zafarullah Chowdhury, human rights activist Sultana Kamal, Barrister Mainul Hosein, former secretary MM Sawkat Ali, Maj Gen (retd) Moinul Hossain Chowudhry, banker Ibrahim Khaled, Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashud Chowdhury, Air Vice-marshal (retd) FM Jamal Uddin, Yasmeen Murshid, Prof Razia Banu, and Barrister Shafiq Ahmed’s names among others’ are being discussed widely for the posts of advisers.

Sources said the president also the chief adviser will select 10 names from the list of proposals and he himself might also include a few advisers from outside the list.