Fakhrul’s call for ‘neutral govt’ hints at another 1/11: Adviser Nahid
Hasnat, Patwary also take to Facebook, slam BNP
Highlights
- He said BNP previously discussed "minus two," now pushing for 1/11 like government
- The party also opposed the idea of a national government, says Nahid
- Acknowledges that not all the BNP members endorse this viewpoint
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's call for a neutral government essentially hints towards the formation of another 1/11-style administration, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam said today (23 January).
"The rise of Awami League fascism originated from the 1/11 arrangement. The BNP secretary general's statement hints at another 1/11 government, the continuation of a parliamentary majority, a subservient foreign policy, and a lack of justice for the disappearances, murders, and July killings," Nahid wrote in a Facebook post.
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He added, "The plot to undermine student and uprising leadership began on 5 August. While students and the public were still fighting on the streets on 5 August and police were shooting continuously, many of our compromising national leaders were busy in the cantonment planning a new government without the people (although many of them also mentioned students).
"We have been saying since 3 August that we will not accept any form of military rule or emergency. Despite being repeatedly asked to go to the cantonment, we refused. Finally, through negotiations and bargaining at the Bangabhaban, it was decided to form an interim government led by Dr Yunus."
Nahid, a prominent figure of the July uprising, stated that students are the only factor that completely distinguishes this interim government from the 1/11 government.
Even though the BNP recently discussed the "Minus Two" formula, they are now proposing a new 1/11 settlement under the guise of a neutral caretaker government to pave the way for their return to power, he observed.
Such a plan would go against democracy and national interests, and the students and the public will never accept it, the adviser said. "Moreover, I believe this is a conspiracy against the BNP itself."
What is 1/11?
The term "1/11" has often surfaced in parlance ever since 11 January 2007, when the military intervened amid a protracted political standoff over the next parliamentary polls. The then president Iajuddin Ahmed resigned as the chief adviser and declared a state of emergency on the night of 11 January.
The following day, Fakhruddin Ahmed, a former Bangladesh Bank governor, was appointed and sworn in as chief adviser to a new caretaker government.
Following much turmoil and pressure, the caretaker regime eventually held elections on 29 December 2008, which saw the Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, secure a landslide victory.
What prompted Nahid's statement?
Nahid's remarks follow Mirza Fakhrul's statement criticising the interim government for "failing to maintain neutrality in certain areas".
Speaking at a discussion on the 56th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Asad at the National Press Club yesterday, Fakhrul said, "Yesterday (Wednesday), in an interview, I said if the interim government can't remain impartial, a neutral government will be required during the election. There is a reason for making this statement. We observe that the interim government is unable to maintain neutrality on several issues."
He urged the interim government to carry out its responsibilities impartially and address the problems the country is currently facing. The government should arrange the election as soon as possible after necessary minimum reforms related to the polls, he added.
'We wanted a national govt'
Nahid wrote, "We wanted a national government formed in collaboration with anti-fascist political parties and civil society. Perhaps, with a national government in place, students wouldn't have needed to come into power. Considering that a national government would be long-lasting, the BNP didn't agree to it.
"The need for a national government was most urgent right after the uprising. Now, the BNP is talking about forming it after the next election.
He noted that even before the government was formed, on August 6, the Attorney General and the previous Inspector General of Police (IGP) were appointed, both essentially BNP loyalists. Similarly, BNP-affiliated individuals are present at various levels, from the top to the bottom of the government.
And this reality must be kept in mind when talking about election neutrality, he said, adding the BNP has opposed change of presidency, the new constitution, and the July declaration — none of which were demands of the students.
"Despite this, the students have repeatedly compromised their positions to uphold national stability, broader interests, and unity. However, this willingness to compromise does not extend to any anti-democratic plans or attempts to undermine the uprising."
What other leaders say
Hasnat Abdullah, central convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, also took to Facebook today.
He said, "Those who used to call for protests and then retreat from the field are now seeking the reinstatement of Awami League through backdoor politics and India-dependent diplomacy.
"We have information about who has been doing business with whom for more than a decade and a half, and who has lobbied for whom after arrests."
Later he wrote another post to state that when Bangladesh has a unique opportunity for structural reforms after the uprising, the BNP undermines this chance with discussions of a 1/11-style government formula.
"While the interim government engaged in reforms, the BNP claimed it lacked the mandate for such actions. They seemed to forget that a government formed through a mass uprising holds a stronger mandate than a political party elected with 60-70% of the vote."
National Citizens' Committee Convener Nasiruddin Patwary also criticised Fakhrul over his recent remarks.
"We see the BNP secretary general's demand for a neutral government as a threat of a return to 1/11. The people have seen who tried to thwart the student movement on the morning and evening of 5 August," Patwary said in a comment on one of his Facebook posts today.
He also alleged that the "BNP did not support the demands of the students or the public."
"The BNP has repeatedly called the declaration irrelevant by saying the initiative [July proclamation] is being taken after so many months. This is just a betrayal of the opportunistic and anti-national leadership of BNP," the Citizens Committee chief added.
He called upon the "patriotic and dedicated leadership of BNP" to choose the path of greater unity and solidarity with the students-public rather than going against the student uprising.
