It is now clear to all that there is no foreign pressure for restoration of the caretaker government system in Bangladesh. European Union, the USA, the UK or no other friendly country put pressure on Bangladesh over caretaker government system.
Apart from the foreign countries and the global leaders, country’s people imbued with the spirit of the liberation war, those who want to turn Bangladesh into ‘Sonar Bangla’ by completing the unfinished tasks of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also do not want to see the restoration of so-called caretaker government system in the country.
No country in the world talks about the caretaker government but Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is shamelessly talking about the dead issue. Caretaker government made biased behavior in 2001 and 2006. Therefore, people do not want to bring a dead issue like caretaker government to life. The caretaker government is an issue settled by the country’s apex court. Like other democratic countries, elections will be held following the Constitution. Hence, the unconstitutional government like caretaker government will never come again in the country. But BNP still demands that the national election will be held under the caretaker government.
It is known to all that BNP-Jamaat’s undemocratic and violence activities had invited a change-over came on 11th January 2007, popularly known as 1/11. Later an army back caretaker government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed, the former governor of Bangladesh Bank, took over the state power. And the undemocratic government had tried to implement the infamous “Minus Two” formula. The undemocratic army back-caretaker government stayed in power for two years but it was supposed to stay for three months.
The then leader of the opposition in parliament and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and immediate past prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia were arrested and sent to jail during the military-backed caretaker government which assumed power in the political changeover of 1/11 in 2007. Besides, most of the stalwarts of Awami League and BNP were also arrested, tortured and sent to jail during that period. The caretaker government also carried out attacks on political leaders and workers. Apart from these, the undemocratic caretaker government had also destroyed the country’s many business establishments, huts and bazars.
When the BNP talks about restoring the caretaker government and reforming the state, the countrymen, in fact, get confused thinking that whether the party (BNP) wants to install an undemocratic government to power or bring back martial democracy to the country as it was born undemocratically.
It is clear to all that BNP wants someone to install it in power without elections. Therefore, the party’s senior leaders do not want elections, rather they want someone to take office ousting the government and then put them in power. BNP wants a caretaker government which can assure the party of getting elected in polls.
BNP leaders have lost their rhythm in the dream of seizing state power by conspiring and making their foreign masters satisfied. Since its birth, the BNP’s politics has been established on anti-people and power-mongering policy.
The party (BNP) with its alliance Jamaat in 2008 general election which was accepted by all had got only 30 seats. The 2008 general election was held in a credible and fair manner and none could raise any question about the election.
With a fresh vow to uphold the spirit of our
hard-earned independence and eliminate
the anti-liberation forces, country’s
political parties must take preparations
for the next national polls
They have two virtues - one is rigging the vote and the other is killing the people. Therefore, the party knows it well that if the election is held, the people would not vote for the killers.
The country’s Election Commission is independent and neutral. So, countrymen are now posing a question that what is the problem of BNP to join polls under the incumbent commission? This commission is making all-out efforts to hold a neutral election.
It seems that the BNP has become a fallen political party after being repeatedly rejected by the country’s people. Therefore, avoiding the path of politics, they (BNP leaders) are trying to capture the state power through conspiracy.
The party never considers people as the source of power rather its leaders continue their ill-efforts to implement intrigues by misleading the people aiming to gain their political interest. However, country’s peace loving people will not allow BNP’s violent activities and demonstrations anymore.
BNP men are bracing for a new round of anti-government movement over the restoration of caretaker government system. They are also urging people to take to the streets even in order to turn their movement into violent and paralysed the country.
All know there is no possibility to return to the provision as the caretaker system now has been abandoned and kept in museum after the instructions made by the higher court. Therefore, the provision now remains in museum following the decision of the apex court.
But the next elections will take place in proper time as per the Constitution. And the government will perform routine assignments during the polls. The next general election must be held in a free, fair and neutral manner so that none will be allowed to play ducks and drakes with the voting rights of the people.
The Election Commission has constitutional obligation to conduct the 12th national polls between November, 2023 and January 29, 2024. Keeping this in mind, the commission is working hard to arrange the next general elections in a free, fair and participatory manner.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders should take down the ghost of the caretaker government from their heads and participate in the elections by following the simple path as our EC is completely independent and it has also administrative and financial independence. Elections will be held under the commission and the government only plays the role of facilitator during time of polls.
A polls-time government does not even have the power to transfer a police constable. During the polls, Bangladesh Awami League is a side in that election and in the same way BNP is also a side. So, all political parties must participate in elections under the commission.
BNP joined the 2018 general elections amid hesitation while they torched 500 polling centers and killed several polling officers and many people in arson attacks in the name of resisting the elections of 2014.
Not only the ruling Awami League but also all political parties, including BNP, have the responsibility to extend cooperation in holding a participatory, free and fair election. If any party boycotts elections or tries to thwart it, then the liability will go to the party making the election non-participatory or unacceptable.
Country’s people want the future government to be elected through a participatory, free, fair and transparent election. They also want all political parties including BNP to participate in the upcoming elections in the country.
There is no base of any political party other than Awami League at grassroots level in the country. No one should raise any concern about the election being free and fair under the Awami League government.
BNP must discard the demand for restoration of the caretaker government system ahead of the upcoming general elections as it (system) has been sent to the museum by a court order. With a fresh vow to uphold the spirit of the hard-earned independence and eliminate the anti-liberation forces, country’s political parties must take preparations for the next national polls.
S. M. Mizanur Rahman is working as Assistant Editorat Bangladesh Post
