DNCC Mayoral By-Polls: BNP slams govt's 'inaction' over HC stay
The government's inaction over the High Court's stay order on the Dhaka North City Corporation mayoral by-polls has exposed that it has a role in "foiling" the scheduled election, the BNP has alleged.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee member Moudud Ahmed raised the allegation at two programmes.
“The north city corporation by-election was stayed due to a behind-the-scene role of the government's law ministry and the Election Commission," Fakhrul was talking to reporters after placing a wreath at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's grave, marking his 82nd birth anniversary.
He alleged that the government did it to avoid defeat in the by-polls.
On Wednesday, the High Court stayed for three months the DNCC mayoral by-polls after hearing two separate writ petitions.
As per the election schedule, the by-polls were slated for February 26.
The DNCC mayoral post fell vacant with the death of Annisul Huq on November 30 last year.
Fakhrul said the Election Commission also demonstrated its "incompetence and failure" by announcing the schedule for the by-polls without completing all the necessary activities.
About the 11th parliamentary polls, he said the government must reach an understanding through talks with political parties for holding the election in a fair and credible manner.
"If a level-playing field is not created and Khaleda Zia is not freed [from political cases], a credible election will not be possible," Fakhrul added.
Speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, Moudud said had the government been sincere for holding the by-polls, it would have moved to the Supreme Court's Appellate Division challenging the HC order.
"But they're inactive over the issue. It appears that the High Court order is a permanent one, and no appeal can be made against it. Their silence has manifested that the government and the Election Commission agreed on the stay order," he observed.
Jagpa Chhatra League arranged the programme.
The BNP leader also alleged that the government was unwilling to hold the DNCC by-polls in fear of losing the polls race.
Moudud, also a former law minister, said the government could still appeal against the stay order if it really wanted to hold the by-polls.
He also came down hard on Attorney General Mahbubey Alam for not appearing before the HC during the hearing on the writs seeking stay on the by-polls.
"Our attorney general is a very active man to protect the interest of his party and the government. Even, he appears before the court over the issue of a ruling party-backed union parishad chairman or a member. But he was not present at the court for two consecutive days during the hearing on the writ," Moudud said.
He said the attorney general avoided the hearing on a very important case as the government wanted the court to give the stay order.
The BNP leader also alleged that the EC lawyer also played an inactive role in this regard as it wanted such an order from the court.
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