Sagar Biswas :
The ruling Awami League [AL] has again rejected the demand of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party [BNP] about holding any midterm election before completion of the present tenure of the government.
In the latest political announcement, AL General Secretary and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam on Monday said the ruling party does not see any necessity of holding a midterm election.
Ashraf made the observation while talking to newsmen after paying tributes to the four national leaders at Banani Graveyard in the city.
When he was asked that BNP is getting some ‘hints’ about holding of midterm election in the recent speeches of AL high command, Ashraf said, “We do not know about such kinds of hints of holding midterm election.”
“There is no need of hints in this regard and election will be held in due time maintaining continuation of the democracy,” he added.
The AL spokesman rather put blame on BNP founder Ziaur Rahman for his involvement in August 15 massacre and November 3 Jail Killings, which was another blatant sign of negative approach to the party.
“August 15 and November 3 of 1975 are tied with the same thread. The two incidents of worst-ever killings in the history were carried out at the directive of the same killer [Ziaur Rahman],” Ashraf said. Meanwhile, in a quick reaction to Ashraf’s statement, BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed sternly warned AL that the ruling party might face extinction if it does not arrange midterm polls.
“AL leaders must be cautious of that there is a possibility of annihilation if it clings to power applying force without giving a midterm election,” Rizvi said at the BNP’s Nayapaltan office yesterday. Raising allegations against the government for grabbing state power through a voter-less election, the BNP leader further said the incumbent government is holding office ‘against the desire of the country’s people.’
“The more AL government will be greedy for clinging to power, the more it will fall in danger. No one can stay in peace by holding people hostage. The AL had fallen into trouble again and again as it didn’t take lessons from the past,” the BNP leader said. In fact, the Monday’s statement of Syed Ashraf was nothing new in the political arena; rather it was the reflection of AL’s present stance over next general election and strategic position to tackle BNP-led 20-party alliance. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during a press briefing in New York on September 26, categorically ruled out the possibility of midterm election and holding dialogue with the BNP.
She raised question, “Why there will be a midterm election? What are the problems for which we will go for a midterm election? For whom the midterm election will be arranged? Is there any need to bring the party in power which was created by power usurper Ziaur Rahman?”
At the same time, the PM also apparently brushed aside the possibility of holding any dialogue with BNP, saying she had nothing to do for the party which is outside the parliament. “What dialogue? With whom?” she questioned.
In this backdrop, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia threatened to launch a tougher movement against the government if it does not arrange a midterm election in a recent speech in the public gathering. She, however, did not announce a deadline in this regard.
