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Sunday, Oct 29, 2006
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Protests rock Bangladesh

Haroon Habib

Opposition ultimatum as caretaker nominee declines power

DHAKA: Violent protests against Khaleda Zia's outgoing Government in Bangladesh continued on Saturday even as the former Chief Justice, K.M. Hasan, declined to head an interim government ahead of the national elections in January 2007. The violence has claimed at least 11 lives.

However, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who was to relinquish office on Friday night on completion of her five-year tenure, appeared set to remain in office. Addressing a meeting of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) workers here under tight security, she directed them to face up to the Awami League "anarchists." Without specifying a date, she said she would hand over power soon, abiding by the President's decision. The decision by Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed was expected anytime, but the Awami League-led Opposition wanted him to give it by Sunday.

The President's office had announced on Friday night that Mr. Hasan was `sick' and would not take oath on Saturday. On Saturday, the former Chief Justice sent a written statement to the media expressing his "embarrassment" in taking over the administration. Under the constitutional provision, another former Chief Justice, Mahmudul Amin Chowdhury, is in line as the next choice to head a caretaker government.

Under the Constitution, Begum Zia can stay on for 15 more days until an interim government is installed. But observers see her decision to stay on as "alarming," given the explosive situation in the country. Most urban centres in Bangladesh, including Dhaka, have witnessed violent demonstrations by supporters of the 14-party alliance led by Sheikh Hasina's Awami League.

At dawn on Saturday, the combine launched a country-wide indefinite street agitation, threatening to blockade all modes of transport to oppose Mr. Hasan taking over.

The Government had claimed that as the immediate past Chief Justice he was the designated adviser to the caretaker government, while the Opposition pointed out that as a founding member of the BNP he was unsuited for the post.

PTI reports:

On Saturday night, the Opposition turned down Dr. Ahmed's offer to head a caretaker government to oversee the general election.

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