Thousands rally against government
The opposition calls for a neutral government to oversee elections
Protesters join a BNP-led rally in Dhaka yesterday
- ucanews.com reporter, Dhaka
- Bangladesh
- June 12, 2012
A 90-day deadline from the opposition for the reinstatement of a non-partisan caretaker government expired on Monday, prompting tens of thousands to rally in central Dhaka.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Khaleda Zia announced more protests would be launched against the current government, which she accused of corruption and oppression, in order to guarantee free elections in 2014.
“This government is corrupt and it has made all the ministries excessively partisan,” Zia said in her speech. “There was almost no investment in the country in last three years. Scarcity of water, gas and electricity has shut down many mills and factories.”
She criticized the government for not initiating a bill in the parliament to bring back the caretaker government within the 90-day deadline. A non-partisan caretaker government would be charged with overseeing the national election in two years.
A caretaker system will create a level playing field for both the opposition and the ruling Awami League party, which fears people will vote against it, Zia said. She also alleged the Awami League government, backed by party activists, has targeted opposition leaders and journalists.
Local media reported that hundreds of opposition activists were arrested across the country ahead of the meeting, and another BNP leader said that roads to the capital were blocked.
"Our activists and supporters were even not allowed to stay in the hotels. However, people have defied all the embargoes put by the government,” Tariqul Islam said.
The 18-party opposition alliance will organize demonstrations across the country twice this month and three times next month, demanding also release of jailed leaders, location of missing party leader Ilias Ali, and reduction in prices for essential goods.
Several city hoteliers said that they were instructed by the police not to allow any opposition activists, and the manager at Farmgate in central Dhaka said police raided the hotel on Sunday night but arrested none.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Benzir Ahmed said the police took extra security measures to prevent civil unrest.
Meanwhile, Awami League joint secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam called the opposition’s demand for a caretaker government illegitimate and the system unconstitutional, saying they would back down.
“The opposition chief knows that they can’t destabilize Awami League government by rallies and demonstration on roads,” Alam told journalists yesterday. “The government has proven over three years that free and fair elections are possible even under a partisan government.”
Related reports
BNP holds hunger strike over arrests
Tension after day of violence
Calls for caretaker government
Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Khaleda Zia announced more protests would be launched against the current government, which she accused of corruption and oppression, in order to guarantee free elections in 2014.
“This government is corrupt and it has made all the ministries excessively partisan,” Zia said in her speech. “There was almost no investment in the country in last three years. Scarcity of water, gas and electricity has shut down many mills and factories.”
She criticized the government for not initiating a bill in the parliament to bring back the caretaker government within the 90-day deadline. A non-partisan caretaker government would be charged with overseeing the national election in two years.
A caretaker system will create a level playing field for both the opposition and the ruling Awami League party, which fears people will vote against it, Zia said. She also alleged the Awami League government, backed by party activists, has targeted opposition leaders and journalists.
Local media reported that hundreds of opposition activists were arrested across the country ahead of the meeting, and another BNP leader said that roads to the capital were blocked.
"Our activists and supporters were even not allowed to stay in the hotels. However, people have defied all the embargoes put by the government,” Tariqul Islam said.
The 18-party opposition alliance will organize demonstrations across the country twice this month and three times next month, demanding also release of jailed leaders, location of missing party leader Ilias Ali, and reduction in prices for essential goods.
Several city hoteliers said that they were instructed by the police not to allow any opposition activists, and the manager at Farmgate in central Dhaka said police raided the hotel on Sunday night but arrested none.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Benzir Ahmed said the police took extra security measures to prevent civil unrest.
Meanwhile, Awami League joint secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam called the opposition’s demand for a caretaker government illegitimate and the system unconstitutional, saying they would back down.
“The opposition chief knows that they can’t destabilize Awami League government by rallies and demonstration on roads,” Alam told journalists yesterday. “The government has proven over three years that free and fair elections are possible even under a partisan government.”
Related reports
BNP holds hunger strike over arrests
Tension after day of violence
Calls for caretaker government
