Dissolve JS, hand over power to caretaker govt

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has demanded immediate dissolution of the Jatiya Sangsad, resignation of the government and hand-over of power to a caretaker administration to pave the way for general elections.

She also rejected the Prime Minister's offer for dialogue on Opposition's one-point demand and said, "There is no scope for discussions now as the government has already lost the opportunity to hold dialogue."

Dialogue can only be held with the caretaker administration after resignation of Awami League government, the Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad and former prime minister said.

Addressing a mammoth public meeting at Paltan Maidan in the city yesterday, she said there was enough scope for talks when the Opposition placed its four-point demand. The four-point demand has now been replaced by the one-point demand for resignation of the government, she added.

"Now there is no scope for holding dialogue. There are clear provision in the Constitution how to resign and hand over power to caretaker government," she said.

"If you (PM) read the Constitution, you will find no necessary of holding dialogue.

"You read the Constitution and hand over power to a caretaker government immediately. People may forgive you (AL) if you quit just now. Otherwise, you must face people's anger," she added.

The BNP chief also announced movement programmes including "mass processions" across the country on February 3 and said from now on, there will be tougher programmes till resignation of the government.

She said there are many things including matters related to the Election Commission, "false" cases against BNP leaders and activists, AL's politicisation of administration and political murders to be discussed with the caretaker government.

The BNP Chairperson said the Jatiya Sangad has became "one-party parliament" as AL has turned it into a "discussion forum" of the party. "The parliament has been made ineffective and even ruling party MPs have lost interest in it".

Khaleda Zia alleged that the Sangsad was being used by the ruling party as a place for telling lies and character assassination of opposition parties and leaders.

"It is now time to dissolve the parliament as ruling party MPs do not want to attend the session. It is being run without quorum. Dissolution of this ineffective parliament has now become the desire of ruling party leaders and the people". She hoped that the government would realise it soon and act accordingly.

The fresh programmes announced at the meeting include: Democracy Killing Day on January 25, countrywide "Resistance Day" on January 27 to protest government's move to introduce a "black law" in the name of Public Safety Act

Jatiya Party, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Oikya Jote also announced similar programmes at separate public meetings in the city.

The BNP Chairperson in her 25-minute speech alleged that there was massive corruption in the recent defence purchases.

"This government and ruling party men looted thousands of crores of taka through the MIG-29 purchase deal. They must be tried. We have already filed a case against the MIG purchase deal, and they (AL men) must face punishment for looting people's wealth".

On purchase of a Navy Frigate, the former Prime Minister said the government is going to purchase it from a country which does not manufacture frigates. Moreover, the company with which the government signed the agreement to supply the frigate is bankrupt. BNP will sue the people involved in the frigate purchase, she added.

On filing of "false" cases against an "unspecified number" of BNP leaders and activists in the last four yeas, Khaleda Zia said: You (AL government) will realise when a similar number of cases will be filed against you. You have filed false cases against us, but we will file genuine cases against you and those will be countless."

Khaleda Zia declared that the government would not be allowed to give transit facility to India. "Awami League government has no authority to provide this facility to India as people have not given it their mandate to do so".

She also bitterly criticised the government for its alleged failure in the field of economy, maintaining law and order, and for politicisation of the administration.

Presided over by city BNP Convenor Sadek Hossain Khoka MP, the meeting was addressed by, among others, Prof AQM Badrudozza Chowdhury, Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Tariqul Islam, Shahjahan Siraj, Kurshid Jahan Haq MP, Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam Khan, Fazlur Rahman Patal MP, Amanullah Aman MP and Abdus Salam.