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Elect BNP to prevent enchainment: PM

From Staff Correspondent
CHITTAGONG. Dec 1: Prime Minister and BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia today called upon the people to vote her party to power in the coming elections to prevent "renewed enchainment of the nation" and uphold the independence and sovereignty.
The next elections will be the 'most crucial' for the nation as it is being held in the 25th year of the independence. she noted.
The Prime Minister was addressing a public meeting at the Outer Stadium at the end of her whistle-stop train march to the port city from Dhaka that began on Thursday. On her way. she ad-
dressed a series of public gatherings.
The train carrying the PM reached Chittagong railway station at 1:30 PM.
Begun Zia said that the opposition was afraid of elections as they knew what might happen to them if elections were held.
"They (the Opposition) will have explain to the people at the time of seeking votes how they have destroyed the economy by calling hartals for six hours to six days, how many vehicles they damaged and how the old men were assaulted on the roads." she said.
They even did not agree to form an interim govern ment headed by a prime minister from the BNP. drawing 5:5 members from both the ruling party and the opposition. for holding the elections." This Indicated their bad intention, the PM said.
She categorically said that In parliamentary system of government, there was no scope for appointment of a nominated person as prime minister.
"The people have not given me the right or privi lege to do the same." she said, referring to opposition's demand for a caretaker gov ernment
She pointed out that in 1991, Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed was constitutionally made head of an interim and temporary government. "But after the 12th amendment to the Constitution that scope does not remain" she said.
They are now in a movement. flanked by two Identified parties one of which still does not believe in our freedom fight and the other being an autocratic one never believes in democracy," Begum Zia said without referring the Awami League.
That particular political party betrayed the people in 1986 also by joining the autocrats." she pointed out.
Presided over by Golam Akbar Khondakar, president of Chittagong north unit of the BNP. the meeting was also addressed by among others. Abdullah al Noman. Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Energy Minister Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, PM's special envoy Mor-shed Khan. Dr Moin Khan and Amir Khasru Chowdhury.
Earlier Begum Zia told the reporters on the train that she will accept an interim caretaker government under the President provided it is allowed by the Constitution, according to UNB.
"We'll have no objection if it is permitted by the Constitution and is agreed upon during discussion (with the opposition).”
During a 30-minute press conference after the train left the Feni station fit 8:45 am, the Prime Minister answered a number of queries on the current political situation and her party position.
Replying to a question about the possible solution to the 20-mohth-old crisis over the holding of ensuing election. Begum Zia said: "Whatever is done will have to be done within the ambit of the Constitution."
She said byelection was a gre.it opportunity to get the
problem solved. If the opposition could participate In the byelections. complexity would have been much less, she said referring to her proposal of national government.
Asked about her earlier offer of resignation 30 day* ahead of the general election, the Prime Minister said she cannot resign until a decision is reached by the government and the opposition
She said "Without any decision. the resignation will create vacuum. I cannot put the country into a state of vacuum in this way."
Explaining the back ground of her resignation offer. Begum Zia said she had made the offer hoping that the opposition would return to parliament to discuss and settle how the country would be governed after my resignation.
About a possible meeting with opposition leader Sheikh Hasina. she said: "I am always eager to sit for discussion. I've always demonstrated my intention aboul it."
She added: Despite being an elected democratic government. we did a lot. gave a lot of concessions In the interest of maintaining the democratic process. But they (opposition) are not coming forward. They will also have to come forward."
Asked to comment on the US government's remark about Bangladesh's political situation. Begum Zia declined to say anything.