Bangladesh News

In reaction to the speech of Chief Adviser to the Caretaker (CA) Government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, former adviser to a CG, M Hafizuddin Khan, said his speech actually reflected the long-standing demands of the civil society.

The CA’s pledges for eliminating influence of black money and muscle on the next election, curbing of corruption, arresting criminals, and for reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC) are very appreciable, he said.

“We however expected that he would hint at the possible timeframe of the caretaker government and the date of the election, because we expect an election and handover of power to an elected government at the earliest possible time,” he said adding, “We are still in uncertainty about the date of the election.”

The reforms that he mentioned in his speech require a long time, he said, adding that the present caretaker government however can start the process as it did in regard to the separation of judiciary.

“Detection of the sources of money of the electoral candidates can bring a big change in our politics,” he said adding that it has been a long-standing demand.

The key reforms the chief adviser mentioned are possible to carry out in three to four months, but introduction of voter’s ID cards is a complicated process and a matter of long time, as it involves a large amount of money and manpower, he said.

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Executive Director Debapriya Bhattacharya said he is very heartened and inspired by the speech. Many of their major demands got profound importance in the speech, he noted.

“The chief adviser laid out a frame of reference for his work plan we are now eagerly looking forward to see concrete measures and activities to realise and implement the concept of a new politics in Bangladesh,” Debapriya told The Daily Star.

He hoped that the CA will also indicate a timeline for the election soon.

Former adviser to a caretaker government ASM Shahjahan appreciated the speech but said an indication of the timeframe for the election, caretaker government and the state of emergency would have been much to the relief of the people.

The country is looking forward to an election and handover of power to an elected government as soon as possible, he said, expecting that the chief adviser will inform the nation about the date of the election in his next speech to the nation.

The drive the present caretaker government began against business syndicates will bring the prices of essentials at a tolerable level, Shahjahan, also a former inspector general of police, told The Daily Star.

He said he is hopeful that the caretaker government led by Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed will be successful in suppressing the corruptionists and black money holders for ensuring a free and fair election.