Bangla crisis persists, President calls party meet

Dhaka, Oct 28: Despite the widely unpopular justice KM Hasan staying away from taking over as chief advisor of the interim caretaker government in Bangladesh,--deadlock continued over the appointment to the significant post.

Speculation is rife among constitutional experts over the probables who might be asked upon to assume the disputed position from among the retired former Chief Justices and retired Appellate Division judges.

The opposition camp claimed that former Chief Justice Mahmudul Amin Chowdhury is the next in line after Justice Hasan while pro-government camp contend that Chief Election Commissioner Justice MA Aziz is the next man for the post.

The Awami League-led opposition today rejected the President's offer to perform additional duty as Chief Advisor under Article 58C(6) of the Constitution.

They insist that, excepting Justice Hasan and Justice Aziz, any person mandated by the constitution would be acceptable to them.

On the other hand, BNP said that they would not accept Justice Mahmudul Amin Chowdhury or Justice Hamidul Hoque who are preferred by the Awami League-led camp.

In view of the acrimonious debate, President Iajuddin Ahmad has invited the secretaries-general of the political parties having representation in Parliament for a consultation at Bangabhaban (President House) tomorrow in the last-ditch effort for a consensual candidate.

He took the initiative under Article 58C (5) of the Constitution.

As per the Constitution, the nonparty caretaker government must be constituted within 15 days of the dissolution of Parliament. The legisature was dissolved on October 27.

The outgoing Cabinet remains in office until the caretaker government takes over.

UNI

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