Political parties play down resignation
Both the Awami League (AL) and BNP yesterday called upon the caretaker government to hand over power to an elected government by holding a free and fair election as early as possible.
Leaders of the two major parties made the call while giving their reaction to the resignation of four advisers.
"Resignation or induction of four-five new advisers will bring no solution to the current crises. The only way to solve the problems is to hand over power to the people's representatives by holding polls quickly," acting AL President Zillur Rahman told reporters at his Gulshan residence in the capital.
BNP Standing Committee Member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said, "We want to see a people's government as early as possible. The state of emergency will have to be lifted to create a congenial political atmosphere for restoring democracy soon," Mahbub told The Daily Star in his reaction to resignation of the advisers.
There is no reason to be concerned over their resignation, nor the government is facing any crisis due to this, he said.
Mahbub, a former army chief, said the caretaker government's various pledges have raised expectations about giving back people's power to the people. And they now want it do this by holding free and fair elections after creating a healthy political atmosphere, he said.
He also demanded early implementation of the already announced electoral roadmap.
Jatiya Party acting Chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud asked the government to initiate dialogue with political parties so that the existing crises including skyrocketing prices of essentials could be solved through discussions.
On the resignation of four advisers, he said it is a matter for the government to exclude or include advisers for its smooth functioning.
In his reaction, Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain said the government thought it needed a change in the advisory council, and for this it has made the change.
AL Presidium Member Abdur Razzak said the four advisers certainly had their failures that forced them to resign.
Tofail Ahmed, another AL Presidium Member, said the caretaker government has taken the right decision by excluding law adviser Mainul Hosein as he never acted neutrally and tried to make the political parties opponents of the government.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu hoped that resignation of the four advisers would end misunderstanding between the government and the political parties.
Both Tofail and Inu urged the government to take political parties into confidence and start dialogue with them. They also urged it not to induct any controversial persons as advisers.
Bangladesh Islami Oikya Jote Chairman Misbaur Rahman Chowdhury and Secretary General Moniruzzaman Rabbani in a statement expressed satisfaction at the resignation of four advisers.
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