Govt not thinking of polls, indoor politics at the moment: Mainul

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Law and Information Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein Thursday said the government is not thinking about election or resumption of indoor politics at the moment for the interests of pro-reform politicians, reports UNB.
"We'll have to think of election to establish honest politics and democratic system and we've taken up the roadmap towards that end," he told reporters responding to repeated calls by US Ambassador Particia A Butenis for lifting ban on politics.
The adviser said, "We understand what's good and what's bad for us. Our national image will be undermined if we go by the advice of foreign countries."
He said advice may come from a friendly country, but it needs to be perceived that the present caretaker government has not assumed office in normal process. Therefore, it's not easy for the government to hold an election normally.
Mainul said, "Establishment of party politics and democracy is part of our roadmap. We've already made the election commission independent and the anti-corruption commission active to curb corruption… we're moving forward in that direction."
He said indoor politics is not everything. It is important to implement the roadmap for salvaging democracy.
The adviser said the government is creating an environment for bringing about reforms, upon which it depends when indoor politics will resume.
"We are moving a bit slow, as pro-reform politicians need some time.
As we move slow, it will be easier for them to complete the reforms."
He said party politicians these days are showing courage and coming forward to bring about reforms. As a result, many undisclosed stories about big politicians are emerging. "Party workers are ashamed of learning those stories."
The adviser said if the government was sworn-in in a normal situation it would have been easier for it to hold the election through a normal course.
"This is not a government of normal situation and for that politicians are responsible," he said adding: "We're not thinking of democracy and election amid criminalised politics. We're thinking of implementing the roadmap of democracy."
He expressed the hope that the roadmap of democracy would be completed within 2008.