A blueprint for keeping AL in power

The Election Commission has announced a “blueprint to bring ruling Awami League to power again,” alleged BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday.

“The roadmap is an introduction of Awami League's blueprint to cling to power,” Fakhrul told a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan headquarters in the capital.

He criticised the chief election commissioner for his “failure to create a level-playing field” for all political parities before announcing the roadmap for the next general election.

Fakhrul added the public believe no fair and credible election is possible under the ruling party management, but the CEC has stated otherwise.

Such a statement is similar to that of the prime minister, ministers and other ruling party lawmakers, the BNP leader observed.

Fakhrul said the roadmap is a part of conspiracy as it has been announced without resolving the issue of election-time supportive government.

“It is nothing but an effort to re-establish one-party rule in the country in a planned way,” he said.

BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said their party thinks the announcement of roadmap before settling the issue of election-time government is a conspiracy.

“We think the commission is going ahead to implement the government's evil design.”

He called upon the EC to take steps to ensure a level-playing field to make their roadmap a fruitful one.

Another standing committee member Moudud said there has been a political crisis over the nature of government which would oversee the next polls. “So, it should be resolved first.”

Reacting to Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed's comment that there is no scope for reaching any understanding with BNP beyond the constitution, he said, “It is a political issue, not a constitutional one. So, there is no point of talking about the constitution.”

Moudud also said the constitution can be amended if there is political negotiation.