Bangladesh is yet to conduct fresh elections after an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took over the country following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. While Bangladesh's constitution has a provision of 90 days, the same could be increased under special circumstances, if needed, said Mirza Islam Alamgir, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Responding to a question on the expected timeline for a fresh election in the country, during an interview with ANI, Alamgir said: "In our constitution, there is a provision that 90 days should be given to them (interim govt). But under special circumstances, this can be increased if they need it..."
The BNP leader rested his confidence in the interim government saying it "will definitely stabilize the situation and bring peace and order."
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He said that the main task of the interim government is to hold free and fair operations which will be neutral. "As soon as possible they can create a neutral situation and congenial environment for election. They will go for election," he added.
On being asked whether BNP supremo Khaleda Zia will be the new face of the country in future, Alamgir said that she is sick at the moment and needs treatment. She might go to another country for treatment, he said, adding that if she comes back, she will be "definitely" the face of the party in the next elections.
In case she does not come back or is not fit to contest the polls, then the party's acting chairman Tariq Rahman will be the PM candidate, he added.
Speaking on the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, Alamgir said the ties will strengthen further because as a political party, BNP "always consider India to be our neighbour and friend."
"But we also invite India to come to a solution on certain issues. The issues are - water sharing, the killing of Bangladeshi citizens on the borders by BSF, and the trade balance. We want a good friendly relationship with India," he added.
Alamgir refuted reports of attacks on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh amid the unrest, calling it "very unfortunate propaganda."
"There is a sort of misunderstanding and very unfortunate propaganda being made by different media nationally and globally and especially from your country (India)- the media is peddling that communal atrocities are going on in Bangladesh which is not true at all."
"This is not communal, not religious, this is totally political to some extent," he added.
He also invited the media from India to come to Dhaka and see the situation themselves.
"Some people say that the people of Bangladesh are creating some communal problems, no not at all. They are safe in the hands of the Bangladeshi government, Bangladeshi people, they're always safe," he reiterated.