Take ‘caretaker mood’, drop controversial advisers: Khosru to govt

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday urged the interim government to fully embody the role and principles of a caretaker administration by removing controversial advisers, aiming to ensure neutrality and facilitate a peaceful transition through a credible national election.

“My request is that the interim government should, as soon as possible, move into full caretaker mode and act according to the character and features of a caretaker administration. By doing that, and holding a proper election, we want a good and peaceful transition,” he said.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said their party has respect for Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and wants him to leave with dignity.

Will do whatever necessary to hold peaceful, impartial polls: Prof Yunus tells BNP

“We urge him to move fully into caretaker mode so that the actions of some people cannot create controversies. Those who are controversial should go. If they remain, their presence will raise questions,” he observed.

Khosru said when the interim government goes into caretaker mode, it will send a clear message that Prof Yunus’ government has truly taken on its proper, neutral role to ensure fair and credible polls.

The discussion, titled “The Importance of the Upcoming National Election in Protecting Bangladesh’s Independence and Sovereignty,” was arranged by Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal at the Jatiya Press Club.

Khosru said neutrality is the first and foremost condition for a credible election, for which BNP has been fighting over the past 17 years. “Without neutrality, no election can be fair, and without a fair election, evil forces become stronger,” he added.

He said becoming a caretaker government means taking a completely neutral position. “You cannot protect neutrality if people--inside or outside the government-- who can undermine it are allowed to remain.”

The BNP leader said questions regarding the interim government’s neutrality have arisen for several reasons. “We have seen many transfers and postings, and certain people appear to be influencing the government’s position. That is why we say anyone who is subject to doubt or controversy should be removed. If people who intend to take part in the next election, or who are openly linked with a political party, remain in the government, they cannot perform the role of a caretaker administration,” he observed.

Khosru emphasised that since the current interim government will conduct the upcoming polls, it must immediately take on the characteristics of a caretaker government as defined in the Constitution.

“So, the interim administration should start following those features now in all its actions. I think it should avoid making any major decisions at this time and focus only on routine daily tasks, since taking important decisions now would raise many questions,” he said.

The BNP leader also said Bangladesh has been running for over 15 months without an elected government, which has created a serious lack of accountability in every sector — from administration and law enforcement to education.

“When there is no elected government, there is no bridge between the people and those in power. The only bridge in a democracy is the elected representatives,” he said.

Khosru also said the government should quickly return power to the people through a democratic process and restore a truly accountable system. “Our only expectation is that the ownership of the country is returned to its real owners — the people of Bangladesh — through a free and fair election.”

He said BNP has so far been acting responsibly as a major political party and refraining from creating chaos on the streets. “We believe in democracy and in earning people’s mandate through the ballot, not through force.”

Khosru called upon all political parties to prepare to seek the people’s mandate through the upcoming national election, saying that the time for street agitation is over and that everyone should now go to the people to present their vision for the country and obtain their mandate.