Zabaniyah
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PM proposes all-party election-time govt :: Financial Express :: Financial Newspaper of BangladeshPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday proposed forming an all-party election-time government to oversee the next general election but fell short of making it clear who will head the interim administration.
"We want to hold the next parliamentary elections taking all parties with us. It's my proposal to the opposition party that we can form an 'all-party government' comprising all parties for the election period," she said in her 21-minute address to the nation televised at 7:30 pm.
Sheikh Hasina said the aim of the government is to hold a free, neutral and peaceful election. "That's why I'm proposing the opposition party that you could send names from opposition MPs for including them in the interim cabinet for forming the all-party government so that no one could have any suspicion about the election," she said.
In this connection, Hasina said there could be an election removing all mistrusts where people would be able to cast their votes to elect a government according to their desire.
"I request the opposition leader to respond to my plea and she'll accept my request and value our goodwill with a positive gesture," she said.
The Prime Minister called upon the opposition to help establish democracy upon a solid base through a fair, free and neutral election for the welfare of the country and the nation.
About the next general election, Hasina said as per article 72(1) of the Constitution, the election will be held as per the written advice of the Prime Minister to the President. "The Election Commission will declare the election schedule," she said.
On holding the next election during the last 90 days of the current Parliament, the Prime Minister said she would put forward the written advice to the President after consulting all the parties, especially the stakeholders of the grand alliance. "In this case, I'll expect advice from the opposition party as well," she added.
The Prime Minister addressed the nation at the fag end of her government's tenure in a move to solve the ongoing political stalemate that casts a shadow on the next general election.
Referring to the opposition's call to its leaders and activists to come out with machete and axe on October 25, Hasina urged the opposition leader to withdraw this instruction.
"The path of peace and unity will bring welfare to the country and the nation. Have your confidence in people, shun the path of terrorism," Hasina said requesting the opposition to come to Parliament to place their demands and hold discussions on that.
"The door for dialogue is always open from our side," she said.
In this connection, Hasina asked the opposition to place their adjournment motion in Parliament and make it clear what they actually want.
"Come to the path of the peace shunning that of confrontation and we' ll work for the welfare of people through a compromise," she said adding that the people of the country do not want confrontation and anarchy.
Talking about the 5,777 elections conducted by the present Election Commission under the present government in a free, fair and neutral manner, Hasina said the government did not interfere in those elections. "The next national election will also be free and neutral, Inshaallah," she said.
Hasina said the government is firmly committed to giving democracy a solid and institutional footing. "Democracy will get stronger when it' ll be established on the constitutional base and elected public representatives will run the state," she said.
Turning to the army-backed caretaker government that caused immense sufferings to all, the Prime Minister she said the people of the country expect that such government will never come again.
Some interesting things going on in her mind.
This so-called "all party government" is nothing but empty rhetoric. With her clever manipulation, she had created several divisions in the politics of Bangladesh. They are pro this, and anti that, one always against another. But she is adamant about holding the elections under her government. The opposition on the other hand are determined not to let that happen. Most Bangladeshis do want a free and fair election being held under a non-party caretaker government.
What she's is doing is that she is trying to create as much chaos and confusion as possible so that she can call on a snap election and declare victory. People are worried about the present political situation. It's so bad, that even with a healthy amount of liquidity in banks, people just aren't investing or buying. Real estate companies are even offering a free car by just booking for an apartment! (Yes, it is that bad). And not the least, we have seen much destruction and violence during this year. We don't want anymore of it.
Consider this, she and her party had been bragging about endless numbers of development work and that she'd definitely win the election. If that is the case, why is she so afraid of a non-party caretaker government? Her party's good work in that case should bring her back to power even under a non-party caretaker government. Only if she and her party considered national interests above her personal, she would have accepted a non-party caretaker solution. And hence allow a peaceful continuation of democracy.
Sadly, what she did was play another clever game. She's trying to fool the entire nation by giving a gesture of flexibility. By doing this, she intends to divide opposition parties. And even if a couple of opposition MP's do buy this proposal, it'll have little effect on lifting the nation out of the current political crisis. Power will remain with the prime minister. By attracting a few opposition MP's, it will only give her some leverage.
Dear Honorable Prime Minister, do you really believe that your people are idiots? You seem to be treating them as such. They will not step into this trap, and not take a step back for a non-party caretaker government. Nobody would want to see another BAKSAL.