BNP does not expect anything from new President Md Shahabuddin as they think he will not be able to play a courageous role in ensuring a credible national election, reports UNB.
“We know what role he (President) may play…He has no chance to go beyond the constitution and we don't think he has that courage,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Talking to reporters at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office he also said they do not have confidence in the new President.
Fakhrul said they got a little bit disappointed when Md Shahabuddin was made president by the ruling party as people do not know him. “So, we can’t say much about it."
He said it is not clear to BNP as to why Awami League made Md Shahabuddin the 22th President of the country. “This year's presidential appointment came as a bit of a surprise to people.“
Earlier in the day, Md Shahabuddin took oath as the 22nd President of Bangladesh.
Fakhrul said peope have doubt whether the new President will be able to play a role in resolving the country’s political crisis.
He said their party did not raise any question about the background of the new President as they are not interested in him.
The BNP leader said they want to give main focus on the main point regarding the next national election.
“The existing election process is not democratic.Everything will become meaningless if the opposition can't participate in the election and if an election-time impartial government is not formed. So, we’re focusing on the matter,” he said.
Asked whether BNP would join if the President initiates dialogue to resolve the political crisis, he said the President has no power to do anything sidetracking the government.
"If the government wants it, then the president will do it. The government has clearly said it won’t engage in talks on caretaker government. So, there‘s no question of dialogue,” he said.
The BNP leader said the government must accept the demand for a polls-time caretaker government if it wants to restore democracy, ensure good future of people and avoid confrontational politics.
He also said their party will intensify the ongoing movement for forcing the government to accept their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under an interim government.
Fakhrul, however, said the country’s people will determine the nature of the movement based on the attitude of the government.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
