BNP terms IRI survey findings contradictory

The BNP yesterday termed as contradictory the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) opinion survey, which showed an increase in popularity of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. “The survey shows that most Bangladeshis want a caretaker government. Then, how can the popularity of the present government, which has scrapped the caretaker government system and ignores public demand, increase,” wondered BNP spokesperson Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon. He was addressing a press conference at the party headquarters at Naya Paltan in the city. “The survey also reveals that people emphasised the need for holding a quick  election. A free and fair national election is the scale to justify popularity. The survey is a contradictory one,” he said.
In its survey, the US-based IRI, a non-profit organisation working for freedom and democracy worldwide, found that 62 per cent of the survey participants indicated they believed the country was headed in the right direction. Ripon, who is also international affairs secretary of the party, however, demanded that the government hold a general election if its popularity has increased. “The government can prove its popularity by holding a general election,” he observed.
He further said how can the popularity of the government increase when there is no rule of law in the country. Incidents of killings, forced disappearances and repression on women and children are taking place almost everyday. Replying to a question, he said the survey would not have any negative impact on party leaders and activists, as they are determined to implement their political commitments. Barrister Ziaur Rahman Khan, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Sanaullah Miah, Rehana Akhter Banu and Abu Sayeed Khokan, among others, were present on the occasion.
Addressing another press conference at the National Press Club, Sajeda Mannan, wife of the recently sacked Gazipur city mayor MA Mannan demanded the release of her ailing husband so that she can take him abroad for treatment. “My husband has been suffering from heart, kidney and diabetes-related diseases for a long time, and now he is passing through a difficult phase following his arrest on February 11. He needs to be taken abroad for better treatment. I urge the government to release him on humanitarian grounds,” she said. The BNP standing committee member, ASM Hannan Shah, Gazipur district BNP president Fazlul Haque Milon and others were present.

 

BNP terms IRI survey findings contradictory

The BNP yesterday termed as contradictory the International Republican Institutes (IRI) opinion survey, which showed an increase in popularity of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. The survey shows that most Bangladeshis want a caretaker government. Then, how can the popularity of the present government, which has scrapped the caretaker government system and ignores public demand, increase, wondered BNP spokesperson Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon. He was addressing a press conference at the party headquarters at Naya Paltan in the city. The survey also reveals that people emphasised the need for holding a quick election. A free and fair national election is the scale to justify popularity. The survey is a contradictory one, he said. In its survey, the US-based IRI, a non-profit organisation working for freedom and democracy worldwide, found that 62 per cent of the survey participants indicated they believed the country was headed in the right direction. Ripon, who is also international affairs secretary of the party, however, demanded that the government hold a general election if its popularity has increased. The government can prove its popularity by holding a general election, he observed. He further said how can the popularity of the government increase when there is no rule of law in the country. Incidents of killings, forced disappearances and repression on women and children are taking place almost everyday. Replying to a question, he said the survey would not have any negative impact on party leaders and activists, as they are determined to implement their political commitments. Barrister Ziaur Rahman Khan, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Sanaullah Miah, Rehana Akhter Banu and Abu Sayeed Khokan, among others, were present on the occasion. Addressing another press conference at the National Press Club, Sajeda Mannan, wife of the recently sacked Gazipur city mayor MA Mannan demanded the release of her ailing husband so that she can take him abroad for treatment. My husband has been suffering from heart, kidney and diabetes-related diseases for a long time, and now he is passing through a difficult phase following his arrest on February 11. He needs to be taken abroad for better treatment. I urge the government to release him on humanitarian grounds, she said. The BNP standing committee member, ASM Hannan Shah, Gazipur district BNP president Fazlul Haque Milon and others were present.