The ruling Awami League yesterday briefed reporters on their stance over the poll-time interim government trying to allay opposition fears that the incumbent prime minister will head it and clarifying that the selection will be made based on talks.
“We never said Sheikh Hasina would head the interim government. Anyone can lead and it will be set through discussions,” the party’s spokesperson, Syed Ashraful Islam, said its president’s Dhanmondi office on the outcomes of the May 15 extended meeting of its national executive committees.
His statement, for the first time, clarified the party’s stance on the interim government, apparently backtracking from their earlier stance that they would not accept any poll-time government if it was not led by Sheikh Hasina, a warning sounded by ruling party leaders repeatedly in the face of long-standing demand by the opposition for a non-partisan caretaker government.
However, the AL general secretary pointed out that they would not allow an unelected representative take power again. “Free, fair and credible polls are only possible under an interim government comprising elected representatives according to constitutional provisions. An elected government will hand over power to another elected government.”
Urging the opposition to enter talks, Ashraf hinted that if necessary, the constitution could be further amended. “If what is in the constitution remains unchanged, then why would we need a dialogue? We proposed the talks aiming to reach a consensus.”
The 15th constitutional amendment, which cancelled the caretaker system, did not set a requirement for the interim government to be headed by the prime minister. The Awami League, head of the ruling coalition, did not officially clarify the structure of the interim government, despite repeated calls from allies.
Following the briefing, the AL general secretary told the Dhaka Tribune the possibility of talks between the two major political parties was far from over. “Negotiations are ongoing between the parties in various levels. We are very sure that the solution will only come through talks.”
Responding to a query about whether BNP proposals would be scrapped by a vote since the AL holds a two-thirds majority in parliament, he said: “We have urged them to come forward with their proposal. Then we will discuss it. We never said that the talks or their proposal would be voted out.”
He also addressed the calls by various political parties, including ruling allies, for details of their plan for the interim government’s structure. “We gave different proposals [about an interim government] through the media. We also urged the opposition to bring forward their proposals. We are not saying that our proposals are final. We can always discuss these issues with the opposition if they make their proposals.”
He said the government had made formal request to the BNP for talks. After a recent call by the prime minister to the opposition leader for talks, Khaleda Zia issued a 48-hour ultimatum.
The AL spokesperson said, “She [Khaleda Zia] spent large amount of money to make teenage madrasa students come to the capital and take to the streets.”
He also clarified the reason behind the government’s decision to impose a month-long ban on all political rallies and processions, saying constitutional rights cannot always be granted. “At this moment of natural calamities, we should ensure that everything operates normally and the affected people can be properly helped. The ban is not only for the opposition, but for us also.”
Syed Ashraf also asked activists of AL and its associate organisations to take all-out preparation for the upcoming elections and urged all the pro-liberation forces to remain united against the “anarchic” activities of the BNP-Jamaat alliance.
Responding to a query about Sukhranjan Bali, the witness of convicted Delwar Hossain Sayedee, the AL spoke person said he came to know through media that the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) arrested him while trespassing the border.
