3 advisers mislead CA, work for a particular party: Taher

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Amir, Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, on Friday alleged that three advisers are misleading the Chief Adviser in various ways. He claimed the advisers are providing wrong information to prevent a free and fair election.

“They are manipulating him in different ways and working in favour of one particular party. They are subtly trying to steer the country away from a fair election,” he said.

Taher made the remarks at a joint press conference of eight protesting parties, held at the Al-Falah auditorium in Moghbazar, Dhaka. The conference was organised in response to the Chief Adviser’s address to the nation on Thursday.

He added, “We have serious doubts about the fairness of elections under this administration. If elections are not conducted fairly, the country will face a deeper crisis and a dark future.”

Expressing concern, Taher said there are fears among the public and the parties about whether the election is being conducted on the basis of a pre-planned or predetermined verdict. “The government’s behaviour is forcing us to believe this,” he added.

Expressing concern, Taher said there are fears among them and the public about whether the election is being conducted on the basis of a pre-planned or predetermined verdict. “The government’s behaviour is forcing us to believe this,” he added.

He also claimed, “We believe this government—whether knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or by falling victim to a conspiracy—has walked into the trap of a particular party. Reforms have been rendered almost meaningless. We have already seen the government show various forms of loyalty and weakness toward that party, starting with announcing the election date from London.”

Taher added that on several occasions, the government has prioritised the demands of one party. “Today, it is evident to the nation that this government is no longer neutral; it is loyal to a particular party. The government is making every effort to hold a one-sided election to bring that party to power,” he said.