Terming the BNP’s procession as marching toward their defeat, the ruling Awami League has reiterated that it would not budge a single inch from the constitution in holding the next parliamentary election.
“We don’t accept the BNP’s demand for the caretaker government system. We have a lone point that we will do what the constitution mentions. The Election Commission will follow the constitution and implement it. Except this, we will not budge a single inch from our stance,” AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said while addressing a ‘peace and development rally’ in front of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital. Dhaka City South Awami League brought out the procession in protest against the widespread violence and anarchy being staged across the country to create disorder in the name of movement for free and fair elections.
The AL spokesperson said there will be no caretaker government system and there is no question of resignation of the government.
“Like other democratic countries of the world, Sheikh Hasina will perform the duties of the government during the election,” he said.
“We have told representatives of the US and the European Union that we want peace. We want peace during polls as well,” he added.
Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, termed the BNP’s procession as marching towards their defeat.
“What did Fakhrul say today? Their road-march programme is a victory march. Actually it is their march towards defeat and their march towards fall has already begun,” he said.
The AL spokesperson said the BNP thought that they would say that dialogues must be held, but that did not happen.
“There will be no caretaker government system or dissolution of parliament. There is no question of Sheikh Hasina's resignation,” he said.
AL senior leaders, including Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Qamrul Islam, Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Mirza Azam and SM Kamal Hossain, among others, spoke at the rally with Dhaka City South AL president Abu Ahmed Mannafi in the chair.
After his speech, the AL brought out the ‘peace and development’ procession and paraded the city roads before ending at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi.