Govt’s neutrality: Uprising leaders, BNP at odds

Some key July uprising student leaders, including two interim government advisers, yesterday reacted strongly to BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam's remarks that a "neutral government" will be required to hold the polls if the current interim administration fails to remain impartial.

Nahid Islam, information and broadcasting adviser, in a Facebook post said the BNP secretary general's comment essentially hints at formation of another 1/11-like government of 2007.

"It was from the settlement of 1/11 that the Awami fascism had emerged. His [Fakhrul] statement indicates the possibility of another 1/11-style government, a continuation of parliamentary majoritarianism, submissive foreign policy, absence of justice for enforced disappearances, murders, and the July massacre," the post read.

This is for the first time that any July uprising student leader has directly addressed any comments of a BNP leader by name.

In an interview with BBC Bangla published on Wednesday, Fakhrul said, "If the interim government fails to remain neutral, it cannot hold the election. In that case, a neutral government would be needed."

He added that questions of neutrality might arise given some student leaders' plan to set up a political party.

"If representatives of these students are part of this government, neutrality cannot be maintained. If they think they can hold elections keeping their representatives in the government, political parties will not accept it," Fakhrul said.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, youth and sports adviser, shared Nahid's post with a short caption: "There are many things I cannot say being a part of the government. However, it is also not right to keep people in the dark."

In his own Facebook post, Asif also said that if any adviser engages in politics, they will do so after they have quit office.

"At the same time, it is inappropriate for political parties to interfere in government activities. Lobbying or putting pressure for appointments to various important government or constitutional positions is also unacceptable," he added.

Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Student Against Discrimination (SAD), Abdul Hannan Masud, chief organiser of the SAD, and Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of Jatiya Nagorik Committee, also shared Nahid's post.

In a separate post, Hasnat said the BNP is willing to allow the Awami League to regain its foothold, but it refuses to accept the formation of a new political party by students.

FAKHRUL DOUBLES DOWN

Fakhrul yesterday reiterated his earlier comment about the neutrality of the government.

"In an interview yesterday [Wednesday], I said that if the interim government can't remain impartial, a neutral government will be required during the elections. There is a reason why I said this. We can see that the interim government is unable to maintain neutrality on several issues," he told a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club.

Fakhrul added that the government should make arrangement for the election as soon as possible after carrying out the minimum necessary reforms.

The BNP leader said his party is demanding elections not to go to power, merely, but also out of fear that evil forces may exploit the situation if the election is unnecessarily delayed.

Fakhrul said some people want elections only after reforms. "But, should we wait four to five years or until the reforms are done? In that case, people would be deprived of their voting rights for another long period."

'BUSY IN CANTONMENT'

In his long Facebook post, Nahid also said there is a plan to sideline student leaders since August 5.

"While students and the mass people were fighting on the streets and police were shooting them, many national leaders were busy in the cantonment planning a new government, excluding the people (although some of them spoke about the students)," he said. 

"Since August 3, we have been saying that we will not accept any form of military rule or emergency. Although we were repeatedly asked to go to the cantonment, we refused to do so. Eventually, through discussions and negotiation at Bangabhaban, the decision to form an interim government led by Dr Yunus was made."

He said students are the only factor that distinguishes the current government from the 1/11 government.

"Although the BNP has been talking about a "Minus Two" formula, they are now proposing another 1/11-style government under the guise of a neutral government to pave their way to power," Nahid wrote.

"At various levels, pro-BNP individuals hold positions from top to bottom of the government. When you are speaking of neutrality of election, this reality should be kept in mind."

Nahid also said that the BNP took stance against the removal of the president, reforms, drafting a new constitution, and the July proclamation.

"None of these were partisan demands of the students. Yet, for the sake of national stability, greater interests, and unity, students have repeatedly backtracked from their positions. But that does not mean we will compromise even a bit if there is a move that is anti-democratic or if it goes against the desires of the uprising."