Govt to act with people’s backing if blocked from responsibilities: advisory council

The advisory council has said the interim government's autonomy, reform efforts, justice process, fair election plan, and normal operations are obstructed, necessary actions will be taken with the people's backing.

This was discussed today in an unscheduled session of the cabinet following the regular Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) meeting presided over by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, according to a statement from the council.

The meeting was held at the Planning Commission in Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

According to the statement, the meeting discussed in detail the three major responsibilities assigned to the interim government -- elections, reforms, and justice.

"The council discussed how unreasonable demands, deliberately provocative and jurisdictionally overreaching statements, and disruptive programmes have been continuously obstructing the normal functioning environment and creating confusion and suspicion among the public," it said.

"The advisory council believes that a broader unity is essential to maintain national stability, organise a free and fair elections, justice, and reform, and permanently prevent the return of authoritarianism in the country," it added.

In this regard, the interim government will listen to the statements of political parties and will clarify the government's position, the statement said.

"Despite all obstacles, the interim government continues to fulfil its responsibilities by putting national interests above group interests. However, if -- under the instigation of defeated forces or as part of a foreign conspiracy -- the performance of these responsibilities becomes impossible, the government will present all reasons to the public and then take the necessary steps with the people," it said.

"The interim government upholds the public expectations of the July uprising. But if the government's autonomy, reform efforts, justice process, fair election plan, and normal operations are obstructed to the point of making its duties unmanageable, it will, with the people, take the necessary steps," the statement said.