Dhaka, Jan 1 (UNB) – BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Tuesday laid out a formula for the polls-time administration for peaceful holding of the next polls, and brushed aside the ruling party’s claim of government-opposition behind-the-scenes discussion over the issue.

“There was no behind-the-scenes discussion…it’s in fact a covert conspiracy. You (ruling party) have understood your days are numbered. So, you’re covertly conspiring to confuse people,” she said.

Khaleda went on: “No formula of the ruling party will work. The formula is clear… no election will be held under Awami League. Neutral persons will take over the charge. The chief of the election-time government and its 10 other advisers will be neutral ones, and their tenure will be 90 days. They’ll hold the polls and carry out day-to-day affairs….they won’t formulate any law.”

The former premier came up with the formula while addressing a rally on the Engineers’ Institute premises in the city, organised by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), marking its 34th founding anniversary.

The BNP chief said there is no short-cut way and the election must be held under a non-party neutral government.

She said the election will not be fair if it is not held under a non-party caretaker government. “No election was fair under Awami League in the past and it won’t be able to hold any fair polls in the future, too. So, caretaker government is essential to hold the next general election.”

Stressing the necessity of talks, Khaleda said, ”We’ve earlier said we could reach an understanding through discussions and work out a framework of the caretaker government.”

Dismissing Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam’s claim that they are in discussion with the opposition to break the ongoing political deadlock over the polls-time administration, Khaleda said  no discussion can be held behind-the-scenes, and the ruling party is misleading people. “If there’ was any discussion I would have known this. With whom they are in talks.”  

Earlier, on Monday, Syed Ashraful Islam said the ruling party was ready to sit across the table with the main opposition to resolve the ongoing political crisis over the polls-time administration.

“Discussion is the only way to have a solution to the problem. There’s no alternative…the sooner the issue gets resolved through dialogue the better it is for the nation and democracy,” Ashraf said while talking to reporters at his Secretariat office

Referring to the talks between the BNP-led government and the then opposition AL in 1996, Khaleda said they had arranged the discussions at that time publicly, and many foreigners also participated in the dialogue and given formulas, ultimately rejected by the AL.

Terming the ‘Fakhruddin-Moyeenuddin’ government illegal, she said it was basically not a caretaker government as per the constitution since it overstayed crossing the 90-day limit.

The BNP chief slammed the ruling party for legitimising the works of the ‘Fakhruddin-Moyeenuddin’ administration, saying AL always supports those who capture power through the back door. “Awami League had welcomed Ershad, Fakhruddin and Moyeenuddin as it doesn’t believe in democracy. It’s in fact the collaborator of those who come to power through the back door.”

Voicing her party’s strong determination to continue the democratic process in the country, Khaleda said BNP wants to build the country together with all political parties. “We together with all will build the country. If Awami League wants to come with us we’ll welcome. We don’t want to leave out any one and want to do politics with all parties and build the nation.”

She urged the government to release all the political prisoners, including BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and create a healthy environment in the country.

  

The former prime minister also called upon the government to place the caretaker government bill in parliament immediately for the continuation of the democratic process in the country.

Earlier, Khaleda inaugurated the JCD’s founding anniversary rally by hoisting the national and party flags and releasing pigeons. 

Congratulating the JCD leaders and activists on the occasion, she urged them to get united and prepare to lead the country for the welfare of its people.

The BNP chief said the JCD will have to be a platform of real students. “Your fist and foremost duty is to study.” 

Chaired by JCD president Abdul Quader Bhuiyan Jewel, the programme was addressed, among others, by BNP standing committee members  Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Traiqul Islam, BNP central leaders Amanullah Aman, Fazlul Haque Milon, Shaheeduddin Chowdhury Anee and JCD senior vice president Bazlul Karim Chowdhury Abed.