Terming the present Jatiya Sangsad a quicksand, BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman on Thursday said the country’s democracy might disappear in this parliament of quicksand.
“The parliament which has been formed without election is standing on quicksand. Democracy may disappear in this quicksand,” he said.
Mahbubur Rahman said this while addressing a discussion organised by Sangbidhanik Odhikar Forum at Jatiya Press Club in the city. The BNP leader urged the government to arrange another national election cancelling the January 5 one. The military official-turned-politician came down hard on Awami League secretary Syed Ashraful Islam for his comment that the next polls will be held after five years.
Mahbub said, “How could you make such remarks as you are not an inhabitant of a remote island. Still, there is time and arrange an acceptable election.” In an Awami League meeting on Wednesday, Syed Ashraf said, “It’s my firm belief that the present government will remain in power for five years and the next election will be held as per the constitution. And it’ll be held within 90 days before January 28, 2019 when the tenure of the present government ends.”