Manna sees no alternative to Tarique, cautions govt against 'missteps'

Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna on Monday said that he sees no alternative to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in running the country for the time being.

He also lauded all the cabinet members for trying to set new examples and tear down the past bad examples during their five months in office.

However, he cautioned the BNP government that his praise for the five-month journey does not mean there is no scope to raise questions. In the future too, the government could “trip over”, Manna said, cautioning the ministers to avoid such prospects.

Manna made the remarks during the first official meeting between BNP and its 41 political allies since the government took power in the February general elections. The meeting was held at State Guesthouse Jamuna on Monday.

Manna recollected that once, before the elections, he had told Tarique that the BNP chief had the chance to become Bangladesh’s Mahathir Mohammad and Kamal Ataturk.

Manna asserted that he still wants to see Tarique assume similar role in Bangladesh, as presently there is not a single leader capable of matching his statesmanship and legacy.

He also said that he wants the government to succeed, but noted that it was still too early to issue a bright report card.

In the future, if the government fails, everyone else, including Manna himself, would fail, he said. The entire country would fail, he added.

Manna said he wishes to see a country where anyone could spend some relaxed hours without any fear.

Over the past five months so far, the BNP government has helped maintain a democratic environment across the country, where one could express his opinions without hesitation.

Manna said he wants this environment to persist in the future.