Although the general election is over, both ruling Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party have been appearing before the people with opposite stances.
The ruling camp is busy with implementing its election manifesto after winning the January 7 election with an absolute majority while the BNP, which boycotted the last general polls, has been fighting in the courts to release its leaders, languished in jail on different charges, including arson attack and vandalism of the Chief Justice’s residence.
Apart from fulfilling the pledges, including arresting the price of essentials and ensuring rule of law, the ruling party has been putting emphasis on developing relations with the United States of America along with some other western countries.
After the formation of the government for the fourth consecutive term, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said that the challenges before the new government are political, economic and diplomatic.
AL presidium member Pijush Kanti Bhattacharjee told Bangladesh Post that they are focusing on the implementation of the election pledges.
Asked about the price spiral, he said, “The government has already taken measures to address the price spiral. The price of goods will come down soon.”
Against the ruling party’s activities, the BNP is trying to release its jailed leaders and outlining ways for enhancing relations with China, Russia and India.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee member Amir Khasru Mamhmud Chowdhury on Thursday walked out of jail on bail after languishing in jail for three and a half months.
BNP insiders claim that several thousand leaders and activists are still languishing in jail on different charges.
Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, publication secretary of the BNP, also was also released on bail on the day.
BNP activists and police locked in clashes during the party’s grand rally in the capital on October 28 last year, resulting in the vandalism of the Chief Justice’s residence and killing of a police constable.
Following the incident, 11 cases including vandalism of the Chief Justice’s residence, killing of a police constable, illegal gathering on the streets, vandalising vehicles, rioting, snatching a police weapon, damaging properties, assaulting police personnel, and preventing them from discharging their duties were filed against Fakhrul while Khasru was made accused in 10 cases. All the cases are in different stages of trial.
Emerging from jail, Mirza Fakhrul said they would continue their ongoing peaceful movement for the restoration of democracy in the country.
“We will continue our movement for the rights to vote,” he told reporters after his release from Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj.
Asked about the bail of his counterpart, AL general secretary said that the judiciary is working independently while courts have granted him bail.
“Granting someone bail does not mean that he or she is completely free from charges,” he said, adding that the trial of cases filed against Fakhrul will continue.
