Minus-four narrative spread by fascist allies: Press Secretary

Press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government Shafiqul Alam has said that the government has no restrictions regarding the return of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. He said Tarique’s return is entirely a personal and party decision.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after inaugurating an inter-college football tournament at Magura Government Model School ground on Friday, December 5.

Responding to a question on the widely discussed ‘minus-four formula’, the press secretary said, “Those talking about minus four are from the camps of dictatorship. The government has never proposed such a formula.” He added that the person who was ‘minused’ was removed due to ‘a murderable offence’.

Shafiqul Alam said the national election will be held by February 15 and no force can obstruct it. He said preparations are underway to hold a fair and peaceful election with participation of all political parties.

When asked whether the Jatiya Party will contest the polls, Shafiqul Alam said the party has long been an ally of dictatorship and it has not been “banned”. He said, “Whether Jatiya Party contests or not is their decision. But history proves that Jatiya Party was a dangerous ally of dictatorship. Whatever wrongdoing Awami League did, they did it with Jatiya Party’s cooperation.”