BNP will resist any 'third force'

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said his party will resist any "unconstitutional and non-political third force" if such a force emerges due to the current political crisis.
“BNP does not believe in third force. We will welcome only if any political front or party emerges as third force with support of the people. But we will not support any sort of unconstitutional third force. Even we will resist it.”
Fakhrul said this while addressing a meet the press programme organised by Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) at its auditorium in the capital.
Fakhrul replied to a volley of questions on issues like caretaker government, extra-judicial killings, BNP's organisational affairs, unrest in RMG sector, Rohinga intrusion, trial of war criminals and student politics.
The BNP leader said extra-judicial killings will be stopped if BNP is voted to power. “Those who are involved in such killings should be brought to trial.”
Asked whether he sees any uncertainty over holding of the next general election, Fakhrul said election must be held, and there is no alternative to it. But it has to be held under a neutral government.
Replying to a query, he said BNP is deliberately avoiding programmes like hartal since it wants to come out of hartal culture. "But unfortunately the government considered our gesture as weakness. We have not stepped back. We want to compel the government to meet our demand in a fair way.”
On war crimes trial, Fakhrul said the government is now holding trial for crimes against humanity, instead of war crimes. “We also want trial but it should not be held with political motive. Justice must be ensured.”
Asked if BNP will hold trial for war crimes if voted to power, he said, “Awami League has said they will complete the trial process. So, let us see.”
When his attention was drawn to AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam's remark that BNP can go to court or change the constitution after winning the election with required majority, Fakhrul said it is this government which did not obey court decision. Even, it (govt) scrapped the caretaker government system without waiting for the full verdict of court.
“So, the question of our going to court does not arise. The government has to amend the constitution to restore the caretaker system. We will go to court if we are assured of getting justice,” he added.
Fakhrul stressed that BNP wants to see the caretaker government system restored, and its name is not an issue. “We can discuss the format of the neutral government or who will head it. But the government should take the initiative to break the current political crisis without further delay.”
Replying to a query, Mirza Alamgir said people usually come out on to the streets towards the end of a government's tenure. “Generally, people do not take part in a movement to resolve their sufferings.”