Resolve caretaker govt crisis

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has urged the government to settle the caretaker government issue through “an understanding” for the sake of the nation and the existence of democracy in the country.
“Election must be held under a non-party caretaker government. Otherwise, there will be no polls in the country and you [the government] will have to quit power,” Khaleda said while speaking on the thanksgiving motion on the president's address in parliament yesterday.
“Still there is time…accept people's demand for restoration of the caretaker government system…don't force us to go for movement.”
The leader of the opposition hoped that the government would meet the opposition's demand for restoring the caretaker system and ensure people's right to vote.
On a rare occasion, she lauded the government's role in securing a victory over Myanmar in a maritime boundary dispute case at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
Khaleda congratulated the prime minister, the foreign minister and officials at the foreign ministry on the success.
She, however, slammed the government for its failure to stop border killings by Indian Border Security Force, sign a treaty on the Teesta water sharing with India and settle the Tipaimukh dam issue.
Khaleda said her party is ready to cooperate with the government on these issues if it raises voice against India.
In her two-hour speech, the opposition leader also blasted the government for price hike of essentials, deterioration in law and order, killings of journalist couple Sagar and Runi, the murder of a Saudi Embassy official, and alleged corruption in the power sector.
On the caretaker system, Khaleda said, “Since the Election Commission is not strong enough to hold a free and fair election, it is imperative to restore the caretaker government system.”
Khaleda also spoke about what she said “oppression,” “corruption” and “misrule” during the post-independence rule of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The BNP chief said consensus is the essence of democracy but the government wants to do everything by “muscle power” instead of trying to reach a consensus. It will destroy democracy in the country, she said.
The leader of the opposition also termed the current parliament dysfunctional.
“If the leader of the House [Sheikh Hasina] and her deputies use indecent words in parliament, what will new lawmakers learn in parliament?”
Khaleda said her party's lawmakers could not play their due role in the House, as they were not allowed to speak about people's sufferings and the government's misrule.
“What is the use of attending parliament if we are not allowed to speak in the country's interest?”
“Our lawmakers have submitted more than 700 notices in parliament calling for discussions on issues of public interest. But not a single notice was accepted. Should we attend the House proceedings just to listen to speeches in praise of the government?”
Pointing at Speaker Abdul Hamid, she said, “You invite us to parliament but do not allow us to speak. This is nothing but a double standard.”
The BNP chairperson claimed that her government had generated more than 4,000 megawatt electricity between 2001 and 2006.
Earlier, speaking on the thanksgiving motion on the president's address, BNP stalwart Moudud Ahmed said: “Nothing will go unchallenged. We will protest inside and outside parliament if the government does not pay heed to our demands.”