IOJ: BNP trying to cause anarchy

Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) Chairman Abdul Latif Nezami on Friday said BNP is trying to again cause anarchy in Bangladesh through calls for a “supporting” government. The IOJ chairman made the statement at a party press conference, which took place at the National Press Club in Dhaka. “BNP caused countrywide anarchy with calls for a caretaker government (in January 2014), and now they are trying to cause anarchy by calling for a ‘supporting’ government,” Nezami said. He also drew attention to the fact that Awami League had offered BNP the chance to place five representatives in the election-time government during the January 2014 elections, which BNP had refused. “Now they are calling for a supporting government during the elections,” Nezami added. IOJ Chairman Nezami further said: “There are no provisions in the constitution for a poll-time supporting government. We are urging BNP to drop their stance on such a administration, out of respect for the constitution and for democratic systems.” Islami Oikya Jote was a part of the BNP-led 20 part alliance during the 2014 general elections, but the hardliner Islamist political group left the alliance last year. Regarding their exit from the alliance on January 7, 2016, IOJ Secretary General Mufti Fayzullah said at the press conference that it was “a good decision” for which they have been congratulated by both the national and international community. The party’s activities and acceptance had both increased after leaving the BNP-led 20 part alliance, he said.