election-time govt
AL keen to see BNP framework
BNP to announce formula at appropriate time
Abu Jakir
The Awami League (AL) is eagerly awaiting the BNPs formula concerning a neutral poll-time government under which its arch rival wants to take part in the next general elections, expected to be held in December this year. AL insiders said though the ruling party would not go beyond the Constitution, it would like to see the BNPs framework for a poll-time government. The framework might be considered if did not run contrary to the Constitution, they added. The insiders also said it was not possible to hold an uncontested election like the one in 2014.
Many senior leaders of the ruling AL think that the BNPs participation was needed in the next polls to make them acceptable to all.
However, the two parties are still sticking to their respective stances. While the BNP is rigid on its demand for holding the next national election under a non-partisan poll-time government, the AL insists that the elections would be conducted as per the constitutional provisions.
Speaking on the issue, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said they were eagerly waiting to see the BNPs formula on a neutral election-time government. BNP leaders wanted an election-time framework from the Prime Minister. But well not give any framework as to how to hold the next polls. Were waiting to see the BNPs framework.
Quader was speaking with reporters at his Secretariat office yesterday.
Talking to this correspondent on the issue, Quader said time would tell whether the BNPs framework would be considered or not.
Earlier, the AL general secretary had said a dialogue could be held with the BNP in future. A political party that believed in democracy could not indefinitely shut the door on talks with other political parties, he had observed.
Meanwhile, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said that his party would unveil the framework of an election-time government for the 11th parliamentary election at an appropriate time. There is a time for everything. Well place the framework of the election-supportive government before the nation at a proper time, he added.
The BNP has been talking about placing the framework of an election-supportive government after party chairperson Khaleda Zia mentioned it while suggesting reconstitution and empowerment of the Election Commission in November 2016.
When contacted, AL presidium member Abdur Razzak said the BNP chiefs demand for an election-time non-partisan government was not acceptable, as it was a settled issue. The national polls would be held as per the constitutional provisions, he added.
Following a long political turmoil, a non-partisan poll-time caretaker government system was introduced in the country in 1996. But the constitutional provisions for the system were scrapped by Parliament in 2011 during the regime of the then
AL-led government. As the government refused to budge on the BNPs demand for restoration of the caretaker government system, the BNP-led 14-Party Alliance boycotted the 10th parliamentary election in January 2014.
According to the current constitutional provisions, the incumbent government, led by Hasina, will be in power during the next national elections scheduled for late this year or early next year.
