Nation won't take responsibility

Nation won't take responsibility of CG's failure
AL, BNP leaders say
Staff Correspondent
Daily Star, August 5, 2007

The nation will not take the responsibility if the present caretaker government fails, said speakers at a discussion in the capital yesterday. Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah, adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, criticised Law Adviser Mainul Hosein for his Thursday's remarks in which he said the country might face a dire situation if the caretaker government fails.

Awami League (AL) Organising Secretary Mahmudur Rahman Manna said if the law adviser made the comment knowingly, an alarming situation might occur in the country.

They were speaking at the BBC Bangladesh Sanglap organised by BBC Bangla Service in collaboration with the BBC World Service Trust at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Law Adviser Mainul Hosein on Thursday said that the interim government might fail as they are not getting enough support from intellectuals and the media. He also sought cooperation from all so that the government succeeds.

"Why should we take the responsibilities, if they fail?" Hannan Shah posed a question.

AL leader Manna said none of the previous governments in country's history came to power receiving overwhelming people's support like the incumbent caretaker government. If it fails, why should people take the responsibilities of their failure, said the AL leader adding that the law adviser should make public what he wanted to indicate.

"The law adviser realised that the present government is going to fail for their fiasco in checking the prices of essentials, handling of the flood situation across the country and fall in public support following their misuse of power," said human rights activist and lawyer Tarana Halim.

Dr Ainun Nishat, country representative of international environmental group IUCN, took part in the Sanglap as panellist while Shakeel Anwar of BBC Bangla Service moderated the programme produced by Waliur Rahman Miraz.

The panel members said all the advisers should submit their wealth statements to the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC). They said only the political governments should not be blamed for corruption carried out in last 36 years as the country remained under military regimes for 18 years since its independence.

While replying to a question why the political parties are not coming forward to help the flood-affected people, both the leaders of BNP and AL mentioned the ban on indoor politics as the main reason.

If the caretaker government allows the political activists to get united under their respective party banners, it would be easier for them to come forward to help the flood-affected people, they said adding that they are helping the flood victims individually.

Dr Ainun said it is the responsibility of the state, not political parties to help the flood-affected people.

Both Hannan and Manna pledged that they would protect country's jute industry, if they are voted to power in future. The workers of the closed jute mills should be given their dues immediately, she suggested.