On Tuesday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said in an interview that if students form a political party and have their representatives in the interim government, then a neutral government will be needed during the elections.
Discussions on the issue began immediately after Mirza Fakhrul’s comments. After his comments, advisors Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud and the convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Hasnat Abdullah reacted in response.
Nahid Islam said that the discussion of 11 and minus two was first brought into the political arena by BNP a few days ago.
Stating that the government was formed with the help of BNP and its supporters after the coup and the fall of the Awami League government, he expressed doubts about the neutrality of the BNP Secretary General. He also sees similarities with the recent stance of the Awami League, along with domestic and foreign conspiracies against this government.
He also said that recently, Awami League Central Executive Committee member Mohammad Ali Arafat gave a status in which he said that this is an illegal and unelected government, a neutral government is needed, because fair elections are not possible under it. After looking at it in a different way, it creates doubts.
Nahid Islam said, “I don’t think that BNP made such comments out of their intention. However, the tone of their words is exactly the same as the tone of the Awami League’s position.”
In an interview with the BBC, he said, “Judiciary, reforms and elections – these are the main priorities of the current government, but why does BNP think that this government has been formed only to organize an election.”
Regarding elections under a neutral government, he said, “We see the interim government as neutral. They should clearly explain why BNP does not consider it neutral.”
He added, “When the election time approaches, it will be possible to discuss these issues clearly, and if there are any complaints, then the government will consider what steps it can take in the interest of impartiality.”
Information Advisor Nahid Islam said, “If there are BNP supporters at various levels of the administration or in constitutional positions, then it should also be considered whether there will be a need for impartiality there. However, this issue has not yet come to the stage of discussion.”
He also said that BNP is in favor of holding elections quickly. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir commented that it is possible to hold elections between July-August.
Nahid Islam said in this regard, “The period set by the chief advisor between the end of this year and June next year has determined the term of the interim government and the possible timeframe for the elections. Therefore, until that time, it is necessary to move forward patiently and on the basis of consensus.”
He also said, “The trial and reform process for the disappearances and July massacres is moving forward. Discussions, negotiations, and bargaining will probably begin next month. The BNP or other political parties should focus on reform issues and cooperate in the trial process. But at the same time, they are saying that a more neutral government is needed than the current government.”
Discussions on the issue began immediately after Mirza Fakhrul’s comments. After his comments, advisors Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud and Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Student Movement Against Discrimination, reacted in response.
Nahid Islam said that the discussion of 111 and minus two was first brought into the political arena by BNP a few days ago.
Stating that the government was formed with the help of BNP and its supporters after the coup and the fall of the Awami League government, he expressed doubts about the neutrality of the BNP Secretary General. He also sees similarities with the recent stance of the Awami League, along with domestic and foreign conspiracies against this government.
He also said that recently, Awami League Central Executive Committee member Mohammad Ali Arafat gave a status in which he said that this is an illegal and unelected government, a neutral government is needed, because fair elections are not possible under it. After looking at it in a different way, it creates doubts.
Nahid Islam said, “I don’t think that BNP made such comments out of their intention. However, the tone of their words is exactly the same as the tone of the Awami League’s position.”
In an interview with the BBC, he said, “Judiciary, reforms and elections – these are the main priorities of the current government, but why does BNP think that this government has been formed only to organize an election.”
Regarding elections under a neutral government, he said, “We see the interim government as neutral. They should clearly explain why BNP does not consider it neutral.”
He added, “When the election time approaches, it will be possible to discuss these issues clearly, and if there are any complaints, then the government will consider what steps it can take in the interest of impartiality.”
Information Advisor Nahid Islam said, “If there are BNP supporters at various levels of the administration or in constitutional positions, then it should also be considered whether there will be a need for impartiality there. However, this issue has not yet come to the stage of discussion.”
He also said that BNP is in favor of holding elections quickly. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir commented that it is possible to hold elections between July-August.
Nahid Islam said in this regard, “The period set by the chief advisor between the end of this year and June next year has determined the term of the interim government and the possible timeframe for the elections. Therefore, until that time, it is necessary to move forward patiently and on the basis of consensus.”
He also said, “The trial and reform process for the disappearances and July massacres is moving forward. Discussions, negotiations, and bargaining will probably begin next month. The BNP or other political parties should focus on reform issues and cooperate in the trial process. But at the same time, they are saying that a more neutral government is needed than the current government.”
