Interim govt forgetting duty to transfer power after fair polls: Hafizuddin

The interim government seems to have forgotten that its main responsibility is to transfer power to the people's elected representatives through a fair election, BNP's senior leader Hafizuddin Khan said on Sunday (26 January).

"Most advisers of the current government do not uphold the spirit of the July-August mass uprising… It seems they have forgotten that their main responsibility is to hand over power to the public representatives through a credible election," he said at a discussion organised by the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU).

Hafiz, a BNP standing committee member, said the current government becomes upset whenever it hears about the demand for a national election.

"Is the election a misdeed or an unjust thing? We sacrificed many lives, were imprisoned repeatedly, endured immense repression, and made numerous sacrifices for the election over the last 16 years," he said.

The BNP leader said the current interim government appears to intend to stay in power for 30 years, which will not be possible. "An unelected government is weaker than an elected government."

He said their party respects the students who played a role in making the mass uprising a success, forcing the fascist Sheikh Hasina to flee the country.

The BNP leader, however, said they do not expect the youth to make any comments attacking a senior politician like BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

He urged the student leaders not to fear the people, rather approach them with their manifesto and programmes to rebuild the country.

"We'll welcome it if you want to form a party. But you should form the party after coming out of power. People will become dissatisfied if you do it while staying in power, and a question will arise about your neutrality," said Hafizd.

He also warned the student leaders not to tarnish their image by making derogatory remarks about other parties.

"The country's people still respect you. We also value your sacrifices and your struggle for one and a half months. But please don't ignore the sacrifices BNP and other parties have made over the last 16 years," he said.

"The main characteristic of the interim government is impartiality. They will treat everyone equally. But please, don't try to form a King's Party by staying in power," the BNP leader said.

He said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is a respected person but lacks experience in running a state.

"We don't see his success. But we will support him because he is a Nobel laureate, well-known worldwide, and a qualified person to lead this government at this moment. But you (Yunus) please, shouldn't listen to the words of immature youths," Moyeen said.

Hafiz urged Prof Yunus to run the country in consultation with wise and talented people in the country and political parties with experience in governance. "If you do that, the people of the country will be with you."

He said their party wants the government to arrange a fair election promptly. "Three months are enough for whatever reforms are needed in the electoral system. So, give the people's government a chance to come to power through a fair election."