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Inspired, confused

React opposition, leading personalities

Staff Correspondent
The BNP is "inspired" by Sheikh Hasina's statement that the next parliamentary polls will be held after the dissolution of the House. But the
main opposition party is also "confused" as it finds Hasina's remarks on the election-time administration inconsistent.
Eminent citizens, however, consider the
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premier's comment "a positive development1'. But they said a consensus among the parties was an imperative to avoid chaos over the caretaker governmentissue.
If the major parties fail to reach a consensus, it will be impossible for the Election Commission to hold credible polls, a number of distinguished citizens told The Daily Star last night.
BNP leaders say the prime minister should come clear about the polls-time government.
"It is a good realisation that elections cannot be held by retaining the current parliament. I hope she (PM) will also comprehend the reality and restore the caretaker government system to oversee the election and save the country,” said BNP leader Khandaker MosharrafHossain.
Although the prime minister said in parliament yesterday that the JS would be dissolved before the election, she dismissed the opposition's call for a nonpartisan government.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will clarify her stance on the caretaker system at a press conference at her Gulshan office in the capital today.
Asked to comment on Hasina's remarks, Jatiya Party Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader said his party chief HM Ershad also believed a level playing field could not be ensured without dissolving the House. "So we welcome the
premier's stance and believe it will help minimise the gap between the government and the opposition."
Former caretaker government adviser M Hafizuddin Khan also hailed Hasina's announcement but said a clarification on how the JS would be dissolved was needed.
"There will be no benefit if the cabinet still works in any form [after the dissolution of parliament]," he said, adding that the major parties should find a solution to the issue of holding the election under a neutral government.
"The Election Commission, however powerful it may be, will not be able to conduct a credible election," he noted.
Sultana Kamal, another former adviser to a caretaker government, has said the ruling and opposition parties have to reach a consensus about the next parliamentary elections.
"If the opposition parties don't accept the president's decision, then the crisis will not be solved," she warned.
Eminent jurist Shahdeen Malik termed Hasina's statement a right step, but said, "The BNP won't accept an election if it is not held under a caretaker government. Hence, we, the people are faced with a deadlock which will make all of us worried about peace and political stability.”
Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar welcomed the prime minister's remark, saying it was "undoubtedly" a positive development. But
he rejected Hasina's claim that the EC was now "strong enough to hold free and fair polls."
"We don't know how the Election Commission has become strong enough to hold free and fair election as we haven't seen any reform taking place in the commission during the term of the current government."
Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Hamidur Rahman Azad said Hasina was making different statements at different times, thus creating confusion.
"There is no consistency between court verdicts, government steps and the prime minister's statements. So the government should clarify its position. We will accept the election only if it is held under a non-party caretaker government," he added.
Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partha said the prime minister first said the polls would be held after the dissolution of parliament and then again she said the president would decide whether the JS would be dissolved ornot.
"Whatever she says, we won't accept anything but a non-party caretaker government to oversee the next general election," said Partha, also a lawmaker.
It may be mentioned that Hasina during her recent London visit proposed a small cabinet with BNP representatives in it to oversee the polls. But the BNP promptly turned down the suggestion.