Rizvi accuses interim govt of stalling election

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today alleged that the interim government, like ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, is continuing to make excuses over holding the next national election.

"They (the government) are straying from their assigned responsibilities and engaging in other matters. If they were working honestly, they would have already announced the election date," Rizvi said.

He made the remark after a visit to Rakibul Hasan, an injured activist, who was wounded during the July uprising, at his residence in Dhaka.

In reply to a journalist's query, Rizvi also alleged that the interim authorities were using "muscle power" to prevent BNP leader Ishraque Hossain from assuming the mayoral post of Dhaka South City Corporation, despite completion of all legal procedures.

"In that case, he has every right to protest for the establishment of justice," he added.

"In many cases, the characteristics of the interim government match those of Hasina's regime. This is not what the public expects," Rizvi added.

Referring to LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Rizvi commented, "He is quite young. Suddenly he has been entrusted with serious state responsibilities. That's why there is imbalance in his speech."

Rizvi noted that the court had ruled in Ishraque's favour. "If Shahadat Hossain can become mayor of Chattogram under the same law, why can't Ishraque?" he asked.