No need to amend constitution for non-party polls-time govt

BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed yesterday said an election-time government like the one in 1991 can be formed without amending the constitution to hold the next general election in a free, fair and inclusive manner.

“Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, the then Chief Justice, became head of the interim government in 1991 -- going beyond the constitution. It was later rectified through the 11th amendment. We can follow that now for holding the upcoming general election in a free and fair manner,” he said.

Speaking at a programme in Dhaka, Moudud, a former law minister, said, “The constitution cannot be a barrier to people's welfare as it is meant for people.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been saying that the next general election will be held as per the constitution, under her administration. Like that of 2013, a polls-time government will be formed by reconstituting the existing cabinet, she said.

BNP boycotted the January 5, 2014 election, demanding polls under a non-partisan interim administration, and still maintains the stance.

The government is saying that a polls-time government will be formed to oversee the next general election but there is nothing about such government in the constitution, Moudud claimed.

“It means they want to form the polls-time government, going beyond the constitution. If that can be done, a non-party neutral government can also be formed as per our demand, going beyond the constitution,” he said.

Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu Smrity Sangsad arranged the programme at Jatiya Press Club, demanding immediate and unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and all other political prisoners.

BNP REJECTS KHALEDA'S MEDICAL REPORT

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi yesterday alleged that the medical board's report on the party's Chairperson Khaleda Zia's health is “manufactured by the government”.

“The statement of the medical board about our leader's (Khaleda's) illness reflects the government's thoughts. The medical board gave a manufactured report as per the desire of the government to push Khaleda towards a serious health risk,” he said at a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan central office.

On Sunday, a five-member medical board, formed by the government for Khaleda, submitted its report suggesting admitting her to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Rizvi alleged that the medical team, which was formed with doctors loyal to the government, conducted a “20-minute health examination” of the BNP chief.

Opposing the BNP chief's treatment at BSMMU, Rizvi said the hospital lacks modern and sophisticated equipment.