The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Liberal Democratic Party president Dr Col (retd) Oli Ahmed said there is no basis for his return to BNP, but hastened to add that it is nothing new for any party making proposal to another on any issue.

"Despite being a founding-member, I was compelled to quit BNP and float LDP protesting against corruption, terrorism and extortion by some BNP ministers, MPs and leaders," he told UNB in an interview at his New DOH residence Thursday.

Oli said, "It is our priority to consolidate LDP and prepare it for the next election. Some tried to misinterpret my remarks to create a smokescreen. I have protested whenever I saw wrongs and injustice. It does not mean I have sided with any party." He categorically said any political party could offer proposal to his party, which is not new in political culture. "If any proposal comes, we will take decision after a threadbare consultation and examination in our party presidium and the executive committee."

During an hour-long interview, Col Oli spoke candidly about party reform, ban on politics and lifting state of emergency, expatriate voters and anti-corruption drive in the interim period. Asked about Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan's moves for reforms in BNP, he recounted that the LGRD Ministry headed by Bhuiyan as Minister was dubbed most corrupt ministry during the 5-year rule of the BNP government. "A question lurks in public mind as to how a ministry could be so corrupt if its minister was not corrupt," he said, trying to underpin his observations about his former party colleague.

Besides, Oli observed that Bhuiyan, expelled from the party for his defiant move, had been BNP secretary general for the longest time, nearly 12 years, and was the hardcore supporter of Begum Khaleda Zia. He also pointed out that "The Prime Minister's Office, Hawa Bhana and BNP office were controlled by Bhuiyan cohorts". "When we had spoken against corruption and terrorism in the last four years, Bhuiyan and his colleagues kept mum. And, being blinded by power, they were busy enjoying bread and butter," he said. Carrying on his tirade against the immediate-past ruling party affairs, an outspoken Oli said, "Once Bhuiyan faithfully carried out Begum Zia's instructions. Now suddenly he became revolutionary. Such an opportunist leader who can betray his party cannot be trusted." The LDP leader said most corrupt persons are facing trial and punishment, but he reminded that a few corrupt ones are trying to hide by giving lip service to reforms. "I don't call them reformists, they are opportunists. The government must take action against them." Oli believes that if the Anti-Corruption Commission is allowed to function freely, the level of corruption in the country would come down to the lowest level in next 2 to 3 years.

Asked about Bikalpadhara president Prof Badruddoza Chowdhury's proposition on national consensus government, he said a party that would secure majority seats through next parliamentary elections should decide how the country would be ruled.

"It does not depend on any one's wish to fulfil one's personal ambition," he said, taking a swipe at his another former party colleague.

Oli, however, noted that it would be good for the country if there be consensus on important national issues.

Asked his opinion about reconciliation between government and major parties, as being seen in the political scene of Pakistan, the LDP leader said there is a gulf of difference between Bangladesh and Pakistan politics.

He said Pakistan witnessed corruption but Bangladesh witnessed plunder. "Under any circumstance the corrupt cannot be pardoned, and the people will not accept it as well."

But, Oli noted, people would not like to see any revenge on any individual out of suspicion. Every act should be done with transparency and accountability and due process must be followed. Replying to a question, he said the ban on political activities and the state of emergency should be relaxed by December for restoration of healthy politics, as he said "controlled democracy cannot bring good for the country".

He said, "As the Election Commission had stated it would require minimum 18 months for election preparation, similarly I feel minimum 12 months will be required for political parties for election preparations."

Criticizing the EC's move to register Bangladeshi expatriates in the UK as voters, he said why the EC did not think of other 20 lakh working in Middle-Eastern countries to make them voter. As a matter of fact, he said, 60 percent development works in the country are done with the remittances sent by these people. Oli said that instead of giving voter ID cards to the expatriates, their passports could be recognized as ID cards in becoming voter. This will reduce the cost of the Election Commission as well as the burden of frequent foreign trips by EC officials.

He said making the expatriates of one country voter and depriving 70 percent others living in other countries would be contrary to the existing laws.

Asked about government's new strategy to punish corrupt businessmen instead of throwing them into jail, Oli said the way the law is being applied against corrupt politicians similar method should not be applied against corrupt businessmen for the sake of the national economy.

"But it must be looked into that the businessmen are not siphoning off money, depriving government of taxes and their money is invested in the country."