Hold fair local polls to remove past 'stigma'

Special Envoy to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina HM Ershad yesterday suggested the ruling Awami League (AL) to hold the upcoming local body polls in a free and fair manner if it wants to remove all past "stigma".

"I told them that the upcoming local body polls is an acid test for them; if free and fair, people will forget all past misdeeds of the government. But I doubt whether credible polls will be held," said the former military dictator.

The Jatiya Party chairman was addressing a rally the party organised at its headquarters in the capital's Kakrail marking the anniversary of the launch of the upazila system in 1984. Though people's alertness will make it difficult to rig votes in the grassroots, the government can do anything it wants, said Ershad.

He criticised the ruling party's men for allegedly stating that development, not democracy, was needed for Bangladesh.

Democracy is now "inside the grave" and "it is a sin to talk of democracy", he said, questioning why Bangladesh was called a democratic country when there was "only development" going on and "no talk".

Accusing the AL and BNP of destroying governmental institutions, including the Election Commission and public administration, he claimed to have provided, while in power, a people-friendly administration.

He questioned whether the AL and BNP, which call him an autocrat, could prove whether any such ruler could have, like him, won five seats in two polls after leaving power.

He said though he had supported others in forming governments, he would contest future polls alone as his party got nothing.

JP Secretary General Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu and Presidium Member Abu Hossain Babla also spoke.