Following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister and her departure from Bangladesh, President Mohammed Shahabuddin has announced holding early elections by dissolving the Jatiya Sangdad (JS) and forming an interim government.
After meeting with various political parties and representatives of the 'Students against Discrimination' movement regarding the interim government, the President made this announcement in his address to the nation on Monday night.
Referring to the meeting with political parties including BNP at Bangabhaban, President Mohammed Shahabuddin said that the interim government would be formed as soon as possible. According to the law, the current parliament will be dissolved.
The president said that it was unanimously decided to release BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia during the meeting. "It has been unanimously decided to release BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia."
Sentenced to prison in two graft cases in 2017 and having served part of it at the old central jail in Dhaka, Khaleda Zia has been out of prison since 2020 under an executive order by the government. However, the President did not specify the process for her release.
The president said, "All the prisoners, including those detained in the anti-discrimination student movement and various false cases, will be released, and the families of the victims of the movement will be compensated. Besides, all necessary measures will be taken for the proper treatment of the injured."
He called upon political parties to normalise the law and order and to cease looting or destructive activities.
The President said, "I direct the law enforcement forces to take strict action to protect the lives and property of the people. I urge everyone to come forward to protect the minorities and government property."
A few hours after Sheikh Hasina left the country following 16 consecutive years in power, Army Chief General Walker-uz-Zaman, leaders and activists of the Students Against Discrimination and other political opposition members went to Bangabhaban to discuss the interim government on Monday evening.
After the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters that the President would address the nation on Monday night.
In his address, the President said that educational institutions would reopen soon, subject to discussions with student leaders and teachers.
"Also, those involved in killings and violence will be brought to justice. According to the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, the current parliament will be dissolved. All the courts will resume normal hours from tomorrow (Tuesday)."
"We have to work together to save the country," said the President.
Earlier, the President held a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman and other political leaders.
They discussed immediate release of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told newsmen after the Bangabhaban consultation.
The meeting decided on release of all detainees, especially those who were arrested during the quota-reform movement from July 1 to August 5.
"We demanded the formation of an interim government within 24 hours and a general election within three months," said the BNP leader, who had led from the front an allied opposition movement for free and fair polls in absence his party leader.
The meeting laid emphasis on restoration of law and order in the country in the aftermath of the massive countrywide protests and subsequent resignation of Sheikh Hasina.
"It is our big victory! We have to be careful so that this achievement cannot be diverted to any other direction," said the BNP Secretary-General. He also urges all to remain calm and refrain from any sort of vandalism, especially any attack on minority people.
The meeting, however, couldn't decide either who will be chief of the interim government or the number of the cabinet members in the interim government.
"We shall place our nominated names for the interim government soon following discussions with other BNP leaders," said Mr Mirza.
No representative from Awami League attended the meeting.
Recommendations from the coordinators of the students' quota-reform movement will get preference in the formation of the interim government, the political leaders agreed.
Among others, Mirza Abbas of BNP, GM Quader and Anisul Haque of Jatiya Party, Shafiqur Rahman and Md Masud of Jamaat-e- Islami, Mahmudur Rahman Manna of Nagarik Oikya, Mamunul Haque and Mahabubur Rahman of Hefazat Islam, Junaid Saki of Ganasonghati, Dhaka University Professor Asif Nazrul and three coordinators of the student movement - Arif Talukder, Abdullah Al Hossain and Mobashhera Karim Mim-took part in the meeting.
Azizjst@yahoo.com