Govt has no right to cling to power for five years: Selima Rahman

BNP standing committee member Selima Rahman on Friday said that the interim government has no right to cling to power for five years.

He came up with the remark while addressing a special council session of the Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Diploma Medical Association in the capital's Paltan area.

Criticising the Home Affairs Adviser for suggesting that people want the interim government to remain in power for five years, Selima Rahman said, "The primary responsibility of the interim government is to organise a fair and credible election within a short timeframe."

"The Home Affairs Adviser has claimed that the people of this country want the current government to remain in power for five years, but we know what the people truly want," the senior BNP leader said.

Describing Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus as "a highly respected and accomplished person, she said, "The BNP has confidence in him. We hope he keep his promise and arrange the national election by December."

Earlier on Thursday, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told journalists in Sunamganj that people are urging them to stay for another five years.

Selima said reforms are urgently needed across all sectors as the previous Awami League regime has destroyed every sector through corruption and plundering. "Only an elected government, empowered by the people's mandate, can carry out comprehensive reforms."