Demanding election within six months of the interim government's taking office, BNP leaders said the caretaker government system might be in question if a non-elected government runs the country for too long.

"There is no logical grounds to take more than six months for holding an election," BNP spokesperson and Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan told the journalists after the meeting between BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Steve Chabot at Hawa Bhaban.

Steve Chabot after the meeting said, "We would like to see election in Bangladesh sooner rather than later. ... But the time of election is up to the people of Bangladesh."

Terming corruption as an obstacle to investment in Bangladesh, the US congressman praised the interim government for its ongoing efforts against corruption. "We would encourage the efforts which is taken by the government to reduce corruption here in Bangladesh," he said.

Nazrul Islam Khan said if the interim government stays for too long, a few problems might arise and even the caretaker government system might be questioned. "BNP already asked for an election within the quickest possible time."

Some problems have already surfaced such as price hike of essentials and deterioration of the law and order, Nazrul observed.

He said since the US congressman identified corruption as an obstacle to investment in Bangladesh, BNP assured him of taking necessary measures to curb corruption if the party is voted to power.

During the discussion, the BNP high command told the congressman that they do not oppose any arrest on specific allegations, but arrests without specific allegations are against the rule of law, Nazrul added.

Former foreign minister Morshed Khan, former foreign affairs adviser Riaz Rahman and Nazrul Islam Khan accompanied Khaleda Zia during the meeting while US Ambassador Patricia A Butenis and a few other US officials were present with the congressman.

MEETING WITH HASINA
"We are trying to have an election here as soon as possible, sooner rather than later. It's important to have elections because Bangladesh has a democracy, a very important democracy and the matter is also important for our country," said US Congressman Steve Chabot after an hour-long meeting with AL president Sheikh Hasina at Sudha Sadan in the city.

The US envoy, however, said it is ultimately up to the Bangladesh to decide when the elections would take place, not up to the UN or US.

"We talked about corruption and how devastating it is to a country. We also talked about US investment in Bangladesh and we would like to see increased investment," said the US congressman.

If democracy thrives here and corruption is checked, there would be more job opportunities for the people as more companies will be willing to invest in Bangladesh, Chabot said.

Bangladesh has a very bright future, he said, adding that the future of Bangladesh is up to the people of this country, not the US.

After the meeting, Sheikh Hasina's Political Secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury told reporters that they discussed, among other things, the elections, corruption, investment, development, arrest of political leaders and AL policies with the US congressman.

Saber said they want the election to be held as soon as possible. "As the Election Commission has been reconstituted, we hope that they will start discussion with the political parties and take opinion from us so that we all can move towards holding the election."

Saber, who is also AL organising secretary, said, "We have told that we support a fully independent Anti-Corruption Commission with its own financial resources to curb corruption."

He said they also talked about Bangladesh's power structure that is now centralised. "Corruption will be automatically reduced if the local government is strengthened," Saber said adding that strict adherence to rules and the use of ICT will help to reduce corruption.

About the arrest of political leaders, the AL leader said the party would not take the responsibility of any party leaders and workers if there is any specific evidence of corruption or criminals activities against them.

"But no innocent leaders and workers should be harassed. And there should be specific information on the arrestees," Saber said.