Imam differs on opinion poll results

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's adviser HT Imam yesterday expressed his disagreement with the survey reports of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo on the government's three years in office.
Speaking to BBC Bangla radio, he claimed the number of success stories of the government is much higher than the failures.
Both the surveys published yesterday show that popularity of the ruling party declined in the last three years while BNP's increased.
However, the adviser disagreed with the results. The government has built the foundation which was necessary. "I think we will be able to move ahead a lot in the next two years."
Imam pointed that the government itself is conducting a survey on its successes and failures. When completed, it would be easy to say where the government failed.
The Prothom Alo carried out its survey on 5,000 people across the country, while The Daily Star surveyed 2,500 people. Two professional organisations conducted the surveys in the last part of 2011.
According to the surveys, most people think that the country is heading in the wrong direction.
But, Imam said, the government has achieved success in several sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, and energy and power.
On the price hike of essential commodities, he said, “We must remember that purchasing capacity of the people has also increased.”
Around 73 percent people in the surveys opined for holding the next general elections under a caretaker government but Imam said different political parties told the government that the caretaker government is not necessary, rather a strong Election Commission is essential.
About the trial of war criminals--a high priority work of the government--47 percent respondents said they think the government is not taking proper steps. Two years ago, 86 percent people responded positively.
When asked, Imam said it should be considered that the trial have started after 40 years. Many witnesses have died while others have become too old to come to the front, he said.
He acknowledged that it took some time to form the prosecution team but now it has started to become stronger day by day. On the other hand, the investigation team has also become more efficient, he claimed.
“It's not true that the government doesn't want the trial. It's our main objective,” he added.
According to the survey of Prothom Alo, 52 percent people think the Anti-Corruption Commission cannot carry out their work independently.
But, Imam differed saying that corruption has gone down since the ACC is now stronger.