The Hindu : Front Page : Bangladesh President quits as head of government

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 12, 2007
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Bangladesh President quits as head of government

Haroon Habib

Decision comes after declaration of emergency and imposition of curfew

NATION IN TURMOIL: Army troops arrive at the Dhaka stadium after Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed declared emergency on Thursday. — Photo: AP

DHAKA: In a dramatic development on Thursday night, Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed resigned as chief of the non-party caretaker government and pledged to re-constitute his council of advisers afresh within the next few days for holding a participatory, credible election. He, however, did not say whether the January 22 election is postponed.

(A PTI report says the election has been postponed.)

In a national broadcast after 11 p.m., Mr. Ahmed defended his position as chief of the caretaker government, but said he decided to resign due to a strong national controversy over his taking over on October 29 last. A new chief of the caretaker government would be appointed soon.

The President was under severe criticism by the grand political alliance led by Sheikh Hasina for being "grossly partisan" towards the immediate-past ruling coalition headed by the former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia.

Mr. Ahmed has been accused of planning the highly controversial parliamentary election, already boycotted by the grand national coalition

In the evening, Mr. Ahmed declared a state of emergency and imposed an indefinite nationwide curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

He said the volatile political situation forced him to take the step in the interest of country's economy and stability.

However, he did not explain whether the state of emergency meant suspension of all political activities, including the election.

On Wednesday, Sheikh Hasina, president the Awami League, sought Mr. Ahmad's resignation, accusing him of being grossly partisan towards the alliance led by Begum Khaleda. She also demanded a fresh election schedule after corrections to the updated voters list.

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