Bangladesh News

Pro-Khaleda faction of the BNP yesterday demanded holding the next parliamentary election as soon as possible while pro-Saifur faction of the party asked for the election to be held as per the roadmap announced by the Election Commission (EC).

The roadmap stipulates election will be held by December this year.

Leaders of both the factions said the Awami League (AL)-led 14-party combine had created an anarchic situation that forced the president to impose the state of emergency in January 2007.

The two factions came out with their views at separate press brief briefings while evaluating the one-year rule of the present caretaker government.

Demanding unconditional release of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia before the election, pro-Khaleda BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday said election cannot be held without the participation of BNP, and people will not accept any such election.

He also demanded release of all political leaders including AL President Sheikh Hasina for creating a congenial atmosphere for election. Release of the two top leaders is a must for a free and fair poll, he said.

Delwar called for immediate withdrawal of the state of emergency, an end to filing cases against politicians, allowing outdoor politics, withdrawal of cases against political detainees and release of arrested teachers and students of Dhaka University.

Conspiracy is still going on to divide the BNP and keep it away from the election process. Conspiracy is on also against Khaleda, he told a press briefing at his Nam flat in the capital.

On the Election Commission (EC), Delwar said it has failed to prove its neutrality.

This government could not hold the election timely, which is their only task. Besides, economic crises have worsened and foreign investments have gone down, he said.

“A famine like situation is already prevailing in the country now,” Delwar said, apprehending a deeper food crisis ahead.

The government must hold the election as soon as possible and hand over power to elected representatives as the people were deprived of exercising their franchise last year.

“Holding election is urgently needed to overcome the present situation in the country,” he said, adding that political problems must be resolved politically through discussion.

He cautioned that those who plan to go for election through underhand deals would be treated as betrayers to the nation.

The AL-led combine had created the anarchic situation, which led to the state of emergency, in a planned way to destroy democracy and constitutional continuity, Delwar alleged.

He said the post 1/11 (January 11, 2007)situation was ‘imposed on the nation’, and taking advantage of the state of emergency motivated cases were filed against BNP leaders to disqualify them from participating in election.

On the anti-graft drive, he said, “It is not possible to curb corruption through farcical trials.”

Meanwhile, Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, acting secretary general of pro-Saifur faction of the BNP, termed 1/11 a ‘milestone’ and said the caretaker government has more successes than failures.

He however said price hike of essentials have blurred successes of this government.

Addressing a press briefing at his Banani residence, he said, “The main task of the caretaker government is to hold free and fair election after preparing electoral roll.

Dialogue between the government and the political parties will contribute to holding a credible election, he said.

Hafiz urged the government to create an investment-friendly situation to restore confidence of businesses and take urgent steps to boost the economy, build food security and increase foreign currency earning.