Hasnat calls Army's proposal to bring back 'refined Awami League' interference

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser (South) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has said their recent discussions with senior military officials regarding Awami League's participation in the upcoming polls was an "interference in political matters". 

"Politics should be determined by politicians, and decisions on the direction of politics should remain in their hands," he said at an emergency press conference at the NCP office in Dhaka today (21 March). 

His statements came after the NCP and student leaders held protests at several public university campuses today after he earlier in a Facebook post claimed that he and two others on 11 March were presented with a plan to rehabilitate the ousted Awami League party during a meeting at the Cantonment.

Further explaining that meeting, Hasnat at the press conference said following 5 August, there have been several formal and informal meetings between the military and the student leaders. 

"As you are aware, the meeting on that day was convened to discuss law and order issues," he added.

Regarding security risks, Hasnat noted that as long as student-citizens and active political forces opposed to fascism remain united, he does not foresee any security threats.

When asked whether the military is committed to bringing Hasina back, Hasnat remarked, "This is a matter best addressed by the other side".

Also speaking at the conference, NCP Convener Nahid Islam said whether a party can participate in the elections or engage in activities is a political decision. 

"The authority to make such decisions rests with the government and the existing political parties. The military or any state institution has no jurisdiction to comment, plan, decide, or make proposals on this issue," he added. 

Nahid, who recently resigned from the interim government's advisory council, further said political decisions must be made by the political community in a democratic manner and any other practices should not take root in Bangladesh.

"The goal is to overcome this through democratic processes moving forward," he added.