DHAKA: Water resources minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud on Saturday said Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina was in favor of the caretaker government but due to the obligation of the Supreme Court verdict that had not been possible.

The minster came up with the remarks when addressing a dialogue titled ‘Political Parties and Democracy in Bangladesh’ organized by the Centre for Policy Decalogue at BRAC Centre Inn in city’s Mohakhali area.

Anisul said, “If the caretaker system was restored BNP would say that the rule of law was not being maintained”.

When he was talking on the matter, commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, one seat next to him, was seen sitting silent and BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed was seen smiling there.

He said, “To strengthen the democracy, it should be practiced inside the parties, but no one strongly talks about it”.

“Selection of the party leaders should not be given on the party chief rather there should have an election process for each post. And democracy will gain strength then,” he added.

Former chief election commissioner Dr Shamsul Huda said, “Political parties usually don’t do anything on its sole responsibility. For that reason, pressure should be created from outside to change this system”.

“Election is to be held regularly for upholding democracy. It has to be free and fair, otherwise nothing comes fruitful,” he added.

He further said, “All constitutional bodies including the Election Commission and Public Service Commission have been destroyed (in exercising power), which has to be restored. If not, the country will go backtrack”.

Presenting the keynote paper at the function, CPD distinguished fellow Dr Rounaq Jahan said if we want the real democracy, there is no alternative to the practice of democracy inside the party.

She said, “Most of the AL leaders favored to uphold the caretaker government system, but when they saw the party chief did not favored it, then they took stances to abolish the system. It reflects that none can go against the party chief”.

Professor Rehman Sobhan, BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed, former caretaker government advisor Hafiz Uddin, former minster Saiduzzaman, lawmaker Shirin Akhter, Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik general secretary Badiul Alam Majumder and CPD Executive Director Mustafizur Rahman and journalist Jhangir Alam, among others, spoke at the function.

BDST: 1614 HRS MAY 17, 2014