Three advisers misleading Chief Adviser

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Amir Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher alleged on Friday that three advisers were misleading the Chief Adviser in different ways and providing wrong information to prevent a free and fair election.

"They (three advisers) are manipulating him (CA) in different ways and working in favour of one particular party," he told the media at a joint press conference of eight protesting parties at Al-Falah auditorium in the capital's Moghbazar area.

The press conference was organised in response to the CA's address to the nation on Thursday.

"They are subtly trying to steer the country away from a fair election," he continued.

"We have serious doubt about the fairness of elections under this administration. If elections are not conducted fairly, the country will face a deeper crisis and a dark future," he maintained.

"The government's behaviour is forcing us to believe this," he said, while expressing concern that there are fears among the public and the parties about whether the election is being conducted on the basis of a pre-planned or predetermined verdict.

"We believe this government-whether knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or by falling victim to a conspiracy-has walked into the trap of a particular party. Reforms have been rendered almost meaningless," he said.

"We have already seen the government show various forms of loyalty and weakness toward that party, starting with announcing the election date from London," he mentioned. Mr Taher said that on several occasions, the government has prioritised the demands of one party.

"Today, it is evident to the nation that this government is no longer neutral; it is loyal to a particular party. The government is making every effort to hold a one-sided election to bring that party to power," he claimed.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com