BNP, AL reject B Chy's call for nat'l consensus govt
Friday, 12 October 2007
BNP and Awami League (AL) have rejected former President Professor Badruddoza Chowdhury's call for a National Consensus Government.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from a makeshift jail has brushed off Chowdhury's proposition for such a government before the holding of general elections.
"There is no constitutional crisis. Such proposition is embarrassing," Khaleda was quoted by her lawyer Thursday as having said, reports UNB.
Khaleda, arrested on September 3 in GATCO container handling scam case, said the roadmap for election is there and preparation of voters' list with photographs made progress for elections next year.
The BNP chairperson said whoever wins the elections, the next ruling party and the opposition will take the decision about the future governance.
Khaleda supported the observations of former Deputy Leader of the Opposition Advocate Abdul Hamid, who also opposed the idea about such government.
Earlier, a four-member delegation of lawyers, led by Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan, met Khaleda Zia at about 10:50am Wednesday.
Awami League presidium Thursday turned down as "premature" Chowdhury's call for a national consensus government.
"His call sounds like putting the cart before the horse…Let there be elections first, let there be elected lawmakers, then it may be thought of," AL acting President Zillur Rahman told reporters after the presidium meeting.
He said AL central working committee meeting on October 22 will decide whether or not they would participate in the dialogue with the Election Commission (EC).
The presidium meeting, Zillur said, demanded release of AL chief Sheikh Hasina and other party leaders before Eid-ul-Fitr.
He also demanded release of arrested university teachers and students before the Eid and Durga Puja on humanitarian ground.
Zillur questioned the reason behind detaining AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil against whom no case has been filed. "His health condition is very bad. He should be released for the sake of justice," Zillur said.
The elderly leader deplored that despite seeking permission twice as a relation and lawyer, he could not meet Sheikh Hasina at the makeshift jail.
"Since this government is not elected and the State of Emergency is in force, they can do whatever they like," he said.
Zillur said the country was passing through a hard time and "we hope this will end soon."
In another development, BNP chairperson's adviser Brig. Gen. (retd) ASM Hannan Shah Thursday said those having no public support wanted a national government.
"Some people have lost confidence in the countrymen. Now they want to form a national government," he said.
Hannan Shah was talking to the journalists at noon at his New DOHS residence on his return from a visit to Japan and Malaysia.
Shah left Dhaka for Tokyo on October 4 to attend a seminar on "Flood in Bangladesh and the Way Out." Later, he also visited Malaysia.
The BNP leader said the present government was committed to hand over power to people's representatives. "So, election must be held for handing over power."
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from a makeshift jail has brushed off Chowdhury's proposition for such a government before the holding of general elections.
"There is no constitutional crisis. Such proposition is embarrassing," Khaleda was quoted by her lawyer Thursday as having said, reports UNB.
Khaleda, arrested on September 3 in GATCO container handling scam case, said the roadmap for election is there and preparation of voters' list with photographs made progress for elections next year.
The BNP chairperson said whoever wins the elections, the next ruling party and the opposition will take the decision about the future governance.
Khaleda supported the observations of former Deputy Leader of the Opposition Advocate Abdul Hamid, who also opposed the idea about such government.
Earlier, a four-member delegation of lawyers, led by Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan, met Khaleda Zia at about 10:50am Wednesday.
Awami League presidium Thursday turned down as "premature" Chowdhury's call for a national consensus government.
"His call sounds like putting the cart before the horse…Let there be elections first, let there be elected lawmakers, then it may be thought of," AL acting President Zillur Rahman told reporters after the presidium meeting.
He said AL central working committee meeting on October 22 will decide whether or not they would participate in the dialogue with the Election Commission (EC).
The presidium meeting, Zillur said, demanded release of AL chief Sheikh Hasina and other party leaders before Eid-ul-Fitr.
He also demanded release of arrested university teachers and students before the Eid and Durga Puja on humanitarian ground.
Zillur questioned the reason behind detaining AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil against whom no case has been filed. "His health condition is very bad. He should be released for the sake of justice," Zillur said.
The elderly leader deplored that despite seeking permission twice as a relation and lawyer, he could not meet Sheikh Hasina at the makeshift jail.
"Since this government is not elected and the State of Emergency is in force, they can do whatever they like," he said.
Zillur said the country was passing through a hard time and "we hope this will end soon."
In another development, BNP chairperson's adviser Brig. Gen. (retd) ASM Hannan Shah Thursday said those having no public support wanted a national government.
"Some people have lost confidence in the countrymen. Now they want to form a national government," he said.
Hannan Shah was talking to the journalists at noon at his New DOHS residence on his return from a visit to Japan and Malaysia.
Shah left Dhaka for Tokyo on October 4 to attend a seminar on "Flood in Bangladesh and the Way Out." Later, he also visited Malaysia.
The BNP leader said the present government was committed to hand over power to people's representatives. "So, election must be held for handing over power."