Main opposition BNP would not do politics by giving undertakings, party standing committee member Moyeen Khan said Monday.
“No political party in any democratic country needs to take permission for holding rallies. Doing politics is a democratic right and we believe in peaceful politics,” he said.
Addressing a gathering at the Naya Paltan party office in the capital, Khan also said: “The home minister yesterday imposed a ban on meetings, rallies and processions for a month. After his comments, the home ministry gave a clarification. But it was not clear whether the government wants to allow the opposition to do politics or rule the country Baksal [one party politics] style.”
Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir on Sunday said no political party would be allowed to hold any rally and public meeting for the next one month to maintain law and order and prevent “subversive acts.”
Hours after the minister’s speech, the home ministry gave a clarification that there was no objection to holding “usual rallies and meetings” in the country.
“The home minister, in his speech said, the government, for the sake of maintaining law and order, would not allow any political party to hold any political programme in the aftermath of the cyclone that might cause sabotage and damage to public life and property,” the ministry said.
Moyeen Khan, also a former minister, alleged that the government had created a crisis in the country through the 15th amendment to the Constitution.
“I want to tell the government to hold the next elections under a non-partisan government and assume office if they win. Why are you [the government] afraid of elections and people’s vote?” he inquired.
Criticising the ruling party’s proposal for a poll-time interim government consisting of only elected representatives, Khan said: “The parliament dissolves when the tenure of the government expires. In England, parliament dissolves when prime minister resigns. After that, elected government cannot stay in power. There is no scope of forming interim government through elected members.”