According to UNB BNP Chairperson and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia Thursday demanded the government find out whether there was any deep conspiracy behind the unexpected incidents at the BDR Headquarters to weaken Bangladesh and damage various national institutions.
She also offered the government her party’s all-out cooperation in overcoming the present critical situation in the interest of the country.
Begum Zia said cooperation of all, irrespective of opinions and parties by rising above narrow partisan interest, is necessary in the national interest. “We’re ready to extend all kinds of cooperation in the country’s greater interest,” she said.
The BNP chairperson said this while reading out a statement at a press briefing at her Gulshan office around 9:15 pm on the incidents at the BDR Headquarters.She said the incidents have caused irreparable losses to the country and its defence and security systems.Khaleda made a clarion call to the countrymen and the all disciplined forces to remain calm, united and vigilant at this critical moment to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty and national interest.
Mentioning that she has been observing with sorrow and worry over the last two days the incidents at the BDR Headquarters, Begum Zia said the number of causalities known so far is really terrible. “Such incident of killings of so many officers and members of the disciplined forces at a time had never happened in the past in Bangladesh history,” the leader of the opposition observed.
Khaleda urged the government to immediately inform people and their relatives about the fate of those still missing, saying that the relatives of the missing persons are in deep worry.
Expressing her deep shock for the incidents, the BNP chief prayed for peace for the departed souls and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.She also conveyed her sympathy to those injured and prayed for their early recovery.
Showing posts with label Khaleda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Khaleda. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Oxford Analytica on Bangladesh Elections
British think-tank the Oxford Analytica has offered the following observations on Bangladesh's elections:
National circumspection. Despite the peaceful election, clear AL victory and likely weakness of any challenge to the result, many Bangladeshis remain hesitant about the prospects of democracy:
Over-confidence. Many worry that the AL's mandate will result in over-confidence. The AL might impose its secular agenda too aggressively on what many see as a piously Muslim country, or pursue its enemies on corruption charges.
Bangladesh's first-past-the-post system means the scale of the AL's majority does not represent the extent of its support, adding to uncertainty; while it has a clear mandate, the BNP still polled only 30% of the popular vote.
Backlash. Many within the AL are concerned that defeat for the Islamist-leaning BNP and its allies will result in an attempt to destabilise secular politics through a campaign of violence. The army's central role in the administration during the last 23 months -- as well as international pressure -- has kept a lid on political violence, and the army's withdrawal now could see law and order deteriorate.
However, Sheikh Hasina has stressed the need for the AL to work with the defeated opposition. The AL has been elected on a moderate, realistic platform to develop the country and reduce poverty by 2021 that attracted popular support. While there are questions about Hasina and Khaleda Zia's continuing role in national politics and corruption remains an issue, most Bangladeshis see the high price of essential commodities as the priority, which the AL has promised to tackle.
CONCLUSION: The AL has scored a major victory in this week's return to democracy, leaving the BNP to decide how to respond. A consensual approach would lift Bangladesh's political prospects, but there is a risk that the AL might overreach itself on the perceived strength of its mandate.
National circumspection. Despite the peaceful election, clear AL victory and likely weakness of any challenge to the result, many Bangladeshis remain hesitant about the prospects of democracy:
Over-confidence. Many worry that the AL's mandate will result in over-confidence. The AL might impose its secular agenda too aggressively on what many see as a piously Muslim country, or pursue its enemies on corruption charges.
Bangladesh's first-past-the-post system means the scale of the AL's majority does not represent the extent of its support, adding to uncertainty; while it has a clear mandate, the BNP still polled only 30% of the popular vote.
Backlash. Many within the AL are concerned that defeat for the Islamist-leaning BNP and its allies will result in an attempt to destabilise secular politics through a campaign of violence. The army's central role in the administration during the last 23 months -- as well as international pressure -- has kept a lid on political violence, and the army's withdrawal now could see law and order deteriorate.
However, Sheikh Hasina has stressed the need for the AL to work with the defeated opposition. The AL has been elected on a moderate, realistic platform to develop the country and reduce poverty by 2021 that attracted popular support. While there are questions about Hasina and Khaleda Zia's continuing role in national politics and corruption remains an issue, most Bangladeshis see the high price of essential commodities as the priority, which the AL has promised to tackle.
CONCLUSION: The AL has scored a major victory in this week's return to democracy, leaving the BNP to decide how to respond. A consensual approach would lift Bangladesh's political prospects, but there is a risk that the AL might overreach itself on the perceived strength of its mandate.
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