Senior BNP leader Dr Dewan Mohammad Salauddin Babu has said that the current government's responsibility is to ensure that a transfer of power occurs through polls within a reasonable time frame.
Former lawmaker Babu, party’s family welfare affairs secretary, on Tuesday also said the government keeps mum over transferring power to an elected government. The possible date of the general elections is also unclear.
Babu was speaking to party men during a preparatory meeting ahead of the party’s programs on November 7 at his Savar residence.
He said that the chief of army staff had mentioned 30 to 45 days ago that the elections could be held a year and a half later. But it is not the army chief’s responsibility to declare the date for an election. He should not mention anything about it, rather the government should talk about it. But the government is silent over the issue, the BNP leader complained.
The former lawmaker also said that the people might have to launch another movement for the announcement of a date for the polls. The BNP is a root-level party and it has thousands and thousands of followers. Since Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman are united, it is necessary to let everyone know of the party's strength, the BNP leader said.
“We can gather people, under this situation we can prove it through our unity. Those who want to join the next polls—they also might consider carrying out a showdown. Considering all these, the November 7 program is very important,” he said.
On a different note he said, many people do not wait till the afternoon during a rally.
“But I would like to request all the leaders and activists of Dhaka-19 so that our gathering is noticed by all and we will carry out a showdown as well. We are preparing for caps and t-shirts. Everyone is requested to stay till the last moment. I will be there till the last minute so that we can show a great gathering of Dhaka-19,” Babu continued.
He said people in Dhaka think there are lots of activists in Savar and they can be brought to Dhaka when needed. The struggle must continue till the country is independent again and this is why the party men are requested to join the showdown, the former MP said.
Senior BNP leaders and local activists of the party attended the meeting.