BNP demands apology from PM

Dhaka, June 22 (bdnews24.com) ?The prime minister should apologise to people admitting her 'mistake' over the caretaker government system, a senior BNP leader has said.

"In 1996, Awami League had waged a vigorous movement for introducing the caretaker system and now she says it's not needed. You should admit your mistake and apologise to people for that," party acting secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Wednesday.

The interim system was introduced through the 13th amendment to the constitution despite opposition by BNP when it was in power. Since then, three national elections have been held under caretaker governments led by former chief justices.

The Awami League government has recently taken a move to discontinue with the system in line with the May 10 Supreme Court verdict annulling the interim arrangement.

But the court said the next two general elections could be held under unelected governments and gave parliament the liberty to decide the issue.

On May 31, Sheikh Hasina declared that the system could not be retained as the apex court revoked it.

The special committee on constitution review in its report placed in parliament on June 8 with a recommendation against the provision.

BNP, however, has been protesting the government move and threatens not to join the next general election under a political government.

Fakhrul in a discussion at the National Press Club that Hasina earlier told the special panel that the tenure of caretaker governments should not be more than 90 days. "But making a U-turn afterwards, saying 'there's no scope to retain it'."

The Awami League can do anything to gain its own interest, "as they established one-party BKSAL in 11 minutes by demolishing democracy in 1975".

He also slammed the cabinet approval to the charter report, saying it would push the country into a great uncertainty.

At a human chain programme in front the press club, Fakhrul wanted to know the whereabouts of BNP ward commissioner Chowdhury Alam, allegedly abducted by either police or RAB personnel on June 25.

"There's no guarantee of a natural death in the country. The government is carrying out murder and torture to annihilate the opposition."

He also said the country's human rights situation was dismal.

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