Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan responded to National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Nahid Islam’s claim that many advisers of the interim government are seeking a “safe exit”, stating that the NCP convener should himself say who exactly these advisers are he is referring to.
Responding to journalists at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon, the adviser said, “He (Nahid) must substantiate his own statement; the onus is not on me to do so, nor is it my job to refute it. Had the statement been specific with information, evidence, and data, perhaps the government would have responded.”
Saying that she herself is not seeking a safe exit, Rizwana said, “I am not looking for any exit at all. I have been in the country. Many storms have come before, and I have stayed in the country, resisting those storms. I will spend the rest of my life in Bangladesh with you all.”
Rizwana Hasan further added, “Leaders of many political parties are saying various things on various issues about different matters of the government. It is their right to say this. This is democracy. Now, if we react to every single remark, if we spend time on every single issue, when will we actually run our ministries?”
When asked if the election will be held in February, the environment adviser said, “The country’s situation is completely stable. Not only has the interim government spoken about holding elections in February, but all political parties have also started their activities keeping February elections in mind.”
When asked if a smaller interim government will be formed before the election, Rizwana said, “As matters stand now, this interim government will conduct the election.”
Earlier, during an interview with a private television network, NCP Convener Nahid Islam said, “Many of the advisers have already established liaisons with various political parties; they are thinking about their own safe exit.” On Tuesday, NCP Chief Organizer for the northern region, Sarjis Alam, added that advisers have no exit other than death.
Nahid, Sarjis, and others were at the forefront of the student-led mass uprising last year leading to the ouster of the Awami League government. Subsequently, an interim government was formed with Nobel laureate and economist Muhammad Yunus as the chief adviser at the wish of the student leaders. Initially, Nahid was also part of the government.
However, after the formation of the NCP, Nahid left his role as adviser last February to take on party responsibilities.
