AL trying to make president controversial, says BNP

BNP today alleged that Awami League leaders are trying to make President Abdul Hamid controversial on formation of the new Election Commission as they do not want a free, fair and inclusive general election in the country.

“Awami League knows it very well that they (AL) will not be able to return to power if a free, fair and inclusive election is held in the country. So, they now want to create controversies centering the president,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a discussion this afternoon.

Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, a pro-BNP lawyer’s platform, organised the discussion, marking BNP founder and late president Ziaur Rahman’s 81st birth anniversary at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium in Dhaka.

Pointing to President Abdul Hamid’s speech in the parliament on Sunday, the BNP secretary general said, “We thank the president [Hamid] as he mentioned that he wants to see democracy progressing ahead along with all political parties.”

“We are also repeatedly saying it. We want to see an inclusive election and democratic politics so that all political parties can participate in the election. Unfortunately, Awami League, which has come in power forcibly, doesn’t want it.”

Pointing to AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader’s comment on Sunday, Fakhrul said that it is regrettable when a top leader makes baseless and unguarded remarks.

Earlier on Sunday, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader at a programme in the city said, “You (Khaleda) have proposed the name of ex-chief justice KM Hasan whom you wanted to make your chief adviser, to include in the search committee. Was not KM Hasan the international affairs adviser of BNP? Then who is neutral?"