Accusing the government of reviving political cases against its leaders and activists, opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) yesterday said the government is conspiring to hold a unilateral national election.
Speaking at a conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called upon the government to create a ground for a credible election and giving democracy an institutional shape by withdrawing all the cases filed against BNP leaders and activists, including its chief Khaleda Zia.
“The Awami League withdrew all the (political) cases filed against its leaders and activists assuming office after the 2011 changeover. The government is now reviving all the cases filed against BNP leaders and activists. The government is trying to pressurise BNP with cases as it’s got politically bankrupt,” he said.
The BNP leader further said, “We’re repeatedly urging the government to play with us on a level-playing and open field. They’re not responding to it as they want to hold a unilateral election keeping all of us in jail. The country’s people will never accept such a lopsided game.”
He called upon the government to ensure a congenial atmosphere conducive to holding a fair election by shunning its repressive acts. “We want to join the next polls, but a proper environment will have to be ensured so that all parties can take part in it.”
Fakhrul, however, said their party will not participate in the general election if a level-playing field for all parties is not
ensured.
“There’s no question of joining the election without a level-playing field and unless the political cases of our leaders and activists are withdrawn.”
He demanded the government ensure a democratic space for political parties and take steps for arranging the next polls under a non-party administration and a neutral election
commission.
About the prime minister’s Bhutan tour, Fakhrul hoped that Sheikh Hasina will not return home empty-handed from Bhutan as she did from India.
He suggested the prime minister to sign deal with Bhutan to import electricity from the country.
Prime Minister Hasina went to Bhutan yesterday on a three-day state visit.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that the government is trying to have Hefajat-e-Islam in its fold convincing it in many ways ahead of the next polls.
He, however, said their party has no interest to follow the same tactics to woo Hefajat.
“Our party’s position (on Hefajat) is very clear as we don’t follow a double-standard policy. The Awami League is doing it wonderfully. After beating and attacking them, now they (government) are saying ‘let us make friendship and get close’. But, we don’t do that,” Fakhrul said.
Replying to a question, he said their party supports only justified demands, not all, of Hefajat.
The BNP leader said their party thinks it is necessary to modernise madrasa education so that their students can turn into a workforce. “We want to develop madrasa education system and update its curriculum. This is our party’s stance.”
BNP leaders have been criticising the government since Allama Ahmad Shafi and Alem-Ulema of the Hefajat-e-Islam-supported Qawmi madrasa met Prime Minister Hasina last week.
At the meeting, the prime minister announced the recognition of certificates of Dawra-e-Hadith under Qawmi Madrasa Education Boards as equivalent to master’s degree in Islamic Studies and Arabic.
Fakhrul said the BNP-led government in 2006 gave the same recognition to Qawmi madrasa certificates, and a gazette notification was also issued in this regard subsequently.
“The government is now trying to convince them (Hefajat) to make a good relation with them presenting the same issue in a different manner.”
BANGLA
