No party to sign nat'l charter
BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday said that the caretaker government wants to stay in power for a long period without holding the parliamentary election.
“As per the constitution, the caretaker government's only responsibility is to assist the Election Commission (EC) in holding a free and fair general election within 90 days, but this government seems to be hanging on to power through various schemes,” he alleged.
The BNP chairperson-appointed party secretary general told these during a meeting with the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders of 80's at his Nam flat.
Delwar also alleged that a conspiracy is going on to split BNP and urged the party leaders and workers to remain alert against any such plot.
“They [government] are putting pressure on the political parties to sign the national charter, but no party will sign it,” he said.
BNP chairperson's presence is a must to make the ongoing dialogue fruitful, Delwar observed, adding that the government can bring the two top leaders to the talks if they are sincere about making it successful.
“The government is trying to hold an election without Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. But there will be no elections in the country without their participation. Even the people will not accept an election without the two leaders,” he said adding that the government is filing cases against the politicians to bar them from the polls.
Referring to the recent High Court verdict regarding the EC's delay in holding polls, the BNP leader said the government has violated the constitution by not holding the election on time.
Delwar also alleged that the government is doing many things, which are beyond their jurisdiction.
Expressing doubt whether a free and fair election could occur under the present EC, he said the commission has made itself controversial with proposals such as increasing parliamentary seats and cancellation of an article of the constitution.
“People know they [EC] are implementing others' agenda,” Delwar said, adding that the EC wants to hold an election in name only to change constitution through forming a 'rubber stamp' parliament.
The BNP leader categorically said that the political leaders themselves would bring changes in their parties' constitution, if necessary, and only an elected parliament would take necessary steps to bring amendment to the constitution of the country.
Party standing committee member Chowdhury Tanveer Ahmed Siddique, joint secretary general Nazrul Islam Khan, acting office secretary Rizvi Ahmed among others, were present at the meeting.
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