An alliance of smaller parties at a public meeting in Barisal on Monday demanded restoration of the caretaker government system for holding free and fair elections.
Leaders of the five-party alliance, named Jatiya Sarthey Jatiya Oikker Lokkhey (national unity for national interest) called for a referendum on restoring the caretaker system. They also vowed to resist any general elections held under the ruling party.
AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, chairperson of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh and a former president of the country, said elections should be conducted freely and fairly by restoring the caretaker government system in the constitution.
Badruddoza said the present government failed to rule the country and had politicised every sphere of administration, judiciary and law enforcement, as well as the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission.
Kamal Hossain, president of Gano Forum, said Sheihk Hasina’s role was controversial as she came to power through the caretaker government system, and then abolished it to stay in power for ever.
“People should not surrender to the whim of a single person,” he said. “There is no instance in the democratic world about elections under ruling party without dissolving the parliament, and people will resist such kind of elections,” he added.
Kader Siddiqui, president of Krishak Sramik Janata League, said Hasina had launched the movement for the caretaker system, but now she was acting like a mother willing to kill her own child for power and self-interest.
“We should not play any political game on a non-level playing field under Sheikh Hasina as the referee, because the country and its people are not safe under her leadership,” he said.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of Nagorik Oikya, said both the leaders of the opposition and the ruling party had declared war on each other, so a third-force was needed to stabilise the nation and run the country smoothly.
Manna was hopeful of the alliance fielding candidates in all 300 seats of the Jatiyo Sangsad.
ASM Abdur Rab, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, cautioned Hasina against arranging the elections without dissolving parliament, saying it would be a sure way for her ouster.
