At least nine die over Bangladesh power vacuum

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

DHAKA, Oct 28 (Reuters) At least nine people died and about 500 were wounded in political riots in Bangladesh today after the man due to take over as interim leader withdrew just hours before taking the oath.

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's five-year mandate ended yesterday. Former Supreme Court chief justice K M Hasan was to have been sworn in as caretaker leader today, ahead of a national election due in January.

At least six people had been killed and more than 200 injured in mayhem on Friday that went on past midnight.

A presidential spokesman said during the night that Hasan was too ill to take the oath. Hasan had told the president he was unable to become caretaker leader, he added.

In a statement issued to the local media, Hasan said he had decided to withdraw because major political parties had failed to agree on his appointment.

''I was prepared to serve on national interest, but the level of mistrust between the political parties has made my position untenable,'' the statement said.

''It is best I should stand aside rather than be a hurdle to the political process.'' The opposition, citing Hasan's past association with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, had accused him of being biased in favour of the government and unsuitable to oversee the election.

Today, following the violence, Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed summoned leaders of the main political parties to discuss the crisis.

Abdul Jalil, general secretary of the opposition Awami League, said the president had told him and BNP secretary-general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan that Hasan had declined to take over as head of the caretaker administration.

Jalil said the president would nominate an alternative caretaker leader by tomorrow evening when Khaleda would hand over the reins of power.

MORE REUTERS PB RK2103

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