& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

Political reforms can’t be imposed

G4 tells press in NY

Staff Correspondent
Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed Thursday said the December 18 national election will set an example for future elections in terms of fairness and credibility.
He also said his government wants to hand over power to honest and capable persons.
The caretaker government chief was speaking at a press conference of US-based Bangladesh journalists at Helmsley Hotel in New York.
Replying to a query, he said reforms in political parties cannot be imposed. They have to be carried out through a process.
However, he added, the primary target of reforms could be achieved through registration, which is now mandatory for political parties seeking election to parliament.
He said talks between the government and political parties might be continued for a consensus on national issues.
He said he hopes new faces— honest and capable--will come out through the upcoming polls and dedicate themselves to fulfilling people's expectations.
Asked if former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia will be allowed to contest the parliamentary election, he said his administration will not meddle in the matter.
"Their parties will decide what will be their (Hasina and Khaleda] role In politics; the government has nothing to do in this regard." those present at the meet-the-press quoted the CA as saying.
About concerns over upazila and national polls dates being too close to allow a breathing space, he said the upazila elections should not be deferred as demanded by the political parties.
Fakhruddin denied allegations that a compromise between his government and the major political parties is the reason for the political leaders charged with graft beingletoutonbail.
"There's no question of compromise. Everyone will be tried in line with the law,” he said, adding that they are only obeying the decisions of higher courts.
He also refuted allegations that the present government is striking a bargain with the political parties for immunity from prosecution for its activities.
He said they took administrative decisions through ordinances, and he believes the next parliament will ratify the laws made with good intentions.
About bail to the graft suspects, he said, “The government was criticised when the courts did not rule in favour of bail. And now it is accused of having an understanding wi th the judiciary.”
Fakhruddin said he hopes the Anti-Corruption Commission would carry on its campaign against corruptionists.
About claims that his government's lengthy stay in power constitutes a violation of the constitution, he said, “We didn't violate the constitution by delaying the parliamentary election beyond the stipulated 90-day time frame."
He also said his is a constitutional government.
It has been, clearly stated that the election will be held on December 18 to fulfil the main task of the government, he continued.
About the state lawyers opposing the petition for Sheikh Hasina's bail, he said the government is not pursuing a dual policy in this
regard.
Asked about alleged torture on Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman, he said he does not know about it. The authorities concerned have already come up with explanations over the matter.
The CA said he has not had any discussions with Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, who too is in the US now for treatment on parole.
Asked what he will do after leaving the office, he said his only goal now is to hand over power to a democratically elected government. "Hopefully, I will pass time writing and delivering speeches."
Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, CA's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Humayun Kabir and Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ismat Jahan attended the briefing.