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'Small Cabinet' During Polls

AL allies want talks first

Hasan Jahid Tusher
Ruling Awami League's key allies in the 14-party combine do not want to back right now the prime minister's proposed ''small cabinet" for interim government to hold the next parliamentary election.
They suggested that there should be more discussions on the issue and the concept of interim government must be clear immediately to avoid confusion and conflicts ahead of the polls.
However, the components of the ruling alliance support repeal of the caretaker government system. They think it would not be possible for the government to restore the system following constitutional amendment.
The House on June 30 last year brought the 15th Amendment to the Constitution abolishing the caretaker government system which has heated up the country's politics since then.
Ruling out restoration of the caretaker government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has suggested formation of a "small cabinet" including the opposition ahead of the next parliamentary polls.
In an interview with the BBC Bangla Service, she said the opposition should come up with their suggestions before parliament.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday night immediately rejected the idea and reiterated her demands for restoration of the caretaker government system.
"What kind of interim government it will be, what will be its jurisdictions and administrative frameworks must be made clear before the nation," said Hashed Khan Menon, MP, president of Workers' Party of Bangladesh.
The government should also give a complete structure of the proposed "small cabinet" to be considered as an interim government, he
added.
Asked whether they support the premier's proposal, Menon said, "I think there should be more discussion on the issue and I have already urged the government to make clear the concept."
On the same question, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) General Secretary Sharif Nurul Ambia said there is still time to discuss the proposal. The concept might not work accordingly as the BNP chairperson has rejected it, he added.
He urged the main opposition to come up with their specific proposal on the interim government concept since the premier has already spoken of her mind about it and there is no scope to restore the caretaker government system in present reality.
The JSD leader suggested that both the AL and BNP do homework on an acceptable and complete interim gov- ernment to hold the next parliamentary elections in a free, fair and credible manner. He also suggested that both the parties sit for a dialogue on the issue to reach a consensus.
Backing the prime minister's proposal, Jatiya Party has urged other parties including the main opposition BNP to join the multiparty interim government ahead of the election.
"If the interim government is formed in participation of multi-party representatives, all parties should join it," JP Presidium Member Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu told The Daily Star.
He said the next election would be free, fair and acceptable at both home and abroad if it is held under a multi-party interim government. A level playing field would be created before the elections, he said, adding, if BNP believes in democracy, they must join the
"small cabinet" to uphold democracy and the Constitution.
Bablu said JP is strongly against the non-elected caretaker government and would not accept such provision again.
Meanwhile, AL leader Suranjit Sengupta, MP, yesterday said Hasina has "resolved" the crisis centring the much-talked-about caretaker issue through placing the new formula of forming a "small cabinet" ahead of the polls.
Fie said the caretaker issue will be "resolved" after formation of the "small cabinet" according to the formula, adds our Staff Correspondent.
Suranjit, also a minister without portfolio, made the comments at a discussion at the Public Library auditorium in the capital. Saarc Children Forum organised the programme to mark its 20th founding anniversary.