Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday said the government was yet to finalise the shape of the polls-time government which would carry out routine work after October 26.
“The polls-time government will perform only routine works. They will not make any policy level decision,” the minister said, adding that: “But, if any confusion arises regarding the formation of the government, the decision will be made after having discussions with the policymakers of the government and the party.”
The remarks came about after a meeting on installing weighing machines across the country and the preparations for controlling and maintaining the traffic system during Eid-ul-Azha.
When asked whether the size of the government would be reduced, the minister said: “It will depend on the prime minister. She will decide on the polls-time government.”
“The issue [of the size of the interim government] has not yet been discussed in any policymaking body or forum of the party or the government. The cabinet in India is never trimmed to allow for polls-time government,” he added.
Quader also said the government would continue to be in power up till October 25. The general elections would be held within January 25 or the last 90 days of the government’s tenure. The Election Commission would announce the schedule in due time and the polls would be held according to the constitution.
On traffic management during Eid, Quader said no cattle market would be allowed to sit on roads and highways. The city corporations and the municipalities had been instructed in this regard.
He also informed that the government would set up 15 excel load control stations across the country. Of those, the work behind setting up five stations had already begun.