Liberal Democratic Party President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed said there was no basis for his return to the BNP, but hastened to add that it was nothing new for any party making proposal to another on any issue.
"Despite being a founding-member, I was compelled to quit the BNP and float the LDP protesting against corruption, terrorism and extortion by some BNP ministers, MPs and leaders," he told the UNB in an interview at his New DOHS residence in the city Thursday.
Oli said, "It is our priority to consolidate LDP and prepare it for the next election. Some tried to misinterpret my remarks to create a smokescreen. I have protested whenever I saw wrong and injustice. It does not mean I have sided with any party."
He categorically said any political party could offer proposal to his party, which was not new in political culture.
"If any proposal comes, we will take decision after a threadbare consultation and examination in our party presidium and the executive committee," he added.
During an hour-long interview, Col Oli spoke candidly of party reform, ban on politics and lifting state of emergency, expatriate voters and anti-corruption drive in the interim period.
Asked about Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan's moves for reforms in the BNP, he recounted that the LGRD ministry headed by Bhuiyan as minister was dubbed the most corrupt ministry during the five-year rule of the BNP government.
"A question lurks in public mind as to how a ministry could be so corrupt if its minister was not corrupt," he said, trying to underpin his observations about his former party colleague.
Besides, Oli observed that Bhuiyan, expelled from the party for his defiant move, had been BNP secretary general for the longest time, nearly 12 years, and was the hardcore supporter of former premier Khaleda Zia.
He further said : "The Prime Minister's Office, Hawa Bhaban and BNP office were controlled by Bhuiyan cohorts".
"When we had spoken against corruption and terrorism in the last four years, Bhuiyan and his colleagues kept mum. And, being blinded by power, they were busy enjoying bread and butter," he added.
Carrying on his tirade against the immediate-past ruling party affairs, an outspoken Oli said, "Once Bhuiyan faithfully carried out Khaleda Zia's instructions. Now suddenly he became revolutionary. Such an opportunist leader who can betray his party cannot be trusted."
The LDP leader said most of the corrupt persons were facing trial and punishment, but he reminded that a few corrupt ones were trying to hide themselves by giving lip service to reforms.
"I don't call them reformists, they are opportunists. The government must take action against them," he said.
Oli believes that if the Anti-corruption Commission is allowed to function freely, the level of corruption in the country would come down to the lowest level in next 2 to 3 years.
Asked about Bikalpadhara president Prof Badruddoza Chowdhury's proposition on national consensus government, Oli said a party that would secure majority seats through next parliamentary elections should decide on how the country would be ruled.
"It does not depend on any one's wish to fulfil one's personal ambition," he said, taking a swipe at his another former party colleague.
Oli, however, noted that it would be good for the country if there were consensus on important national issues.
Asked his opinion about reconciliation between government and major parties, as being seen in the political scene of Pakistan, the LDP leader said there was a gulf of difference between Bangladesh and Pakistan politics.
He said Pakistan witnessed corruption but Bangladesh witnessed plunder.
"Under any circumstance the corrupt cannot be pardoned, and the people will not accept it as well," he added.
But, Oli noted, people would not like to see any revenge on any individual out of suspicion. Every act should be done with transparency and accountability and due process must be followed.
Replying to a question, he said the ban on political activities and the state of emergency should be relaxed by December for restoration of healthy politics, as he said "controlled democracy cannot bring good for the country".
He further said, "As the Election Commission had stated it would require minimum 18 months for election preparation, similarly I feel minimum 12 months will be required for political parties for election preparations."
Criticising the EC's move to register the Bangladeshi expatriates in the UK as voters, he said why the EC did not think of other 2.0 million (20 lakh) working in the Middle-Eastern countries to make them voters.
As a matter of fact, he said, 60 per cent development works in the country was done with the remittances sent by these people.
Oli said instead of giving voter ID cards to the expatriates, their passports could be recognised as ID cards in becoming voters. This will reduce the cost of the Election Commission as well as the burden of frequent foreign trips by EC officials.
He said making the expatriates of one country voter and depriving 70 per cent others living in other countries would be contrary to the existing laws.
Asked about the government's new strategy to punish corrupt businessmen instead of throwing them into jail, Oli said the way the law was being applied to the corrupt politicians similar method should not be applied against corrupt businessmen for the sake of the national economy.
"But it must be looked into that the businessmen are not siphoning off money, depriving the government of taxes and their money is invested in the country", he added.
Flays Bhuiyan for corruption under his custodianship
FE Team | Published: October 19, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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