Reuters AlertNet Lite - Bangladesh may allow limited politics to resume

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Bangladesh may allow limited politics to resume

19 Mar 2007 06:12:54 GMT
Source: Reuters

DHAKA, March 19 (Reuters) - Bangladesh's army-backed interim government may allow indoor political activity in three months but will not rush on holding elections, the administration's law and information adviser said.

All political activity has been banned since Bangladesh imposed a state of emergency and postponed parliamentary elections planned for Jan. 22 in the wake of widespread violence.

"We are planning to lift the ban," Mainul Husein told reporters late on Sunday, but he ruled out holding early elections until more reforms were in place.

An anti-corruption drive launched alongside the emergency has resulted in over 160 arrests of senior political figures -- including Tareque Rahman, eldest son of former Prime Minister Begum Khaled Zia on March 7.

On Sunday police formally charged Tareque, a joint secretary-general of Khaleda's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and her heir apparent, with extortion.

He was charged with illegally taking 10 million taka ($145,000) in January from a owner of a construction firm.

Police said they were investigating more charges against Tareque, 40, for amassing wealth through corrupt means.

Bangladesh is now being run by a caretaker government headed by former central bank chief Fakhruddin Ahmed.

On Sunday Fakhruddin said he was heading a "fully constitutional government which is accountable to the people."

"We are working to fulfil people's aspirations," he told officials during a visit to northeastern Sylhet district. (Additional reporting by Nizam Ahmed)

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Last updated:Mon Mar 19 06:14:40 2007