Bangladesh interim Govt chief promises early polls

Bangladesh interim government chief Fakhruddin Ahmed sought the cooperation of the major political alliances for the elections.

Standing by his pledge to cleanse the administration of corruption ahead of elections, Bangladesh interim government chief Fakhruddin Ahmed on Sunday said he would hold the polls in quickest possible time, even as chief election commisioner MA Aziz stepped down citing a "rapidly changed" political scenario in the country.

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"We are determined to transfer power to an elected government in shortest possible time staging a free and fair election to be acceptable to all," Ahmed said in his first televised speech 10 days after he took over as the chief advisor of the caretaker government following the proclamation of emergency.

Ahmed sought the cooperation of the major political alliances and urged them reflect their goodwill by abandoning the use of "black money and muscle power" and nominating "honest and competent" people for the elections.

Amid mounting pressure from the caretaker government, Aziz stepped down on Sunday citing a "rapidly changed" political scenario and the failure of a "major political alliance" to repose faith in him.

"President Iajuddin Ahmed has accepted his resignation," secretary to the president Sirajul Islam said.

According to officials, Aziz, who was on a three-month leave, went to the Bangabhaban presidential palace and submitted his resignation to the president.

The reconstituted interim government had to take charge at a "critical situation" that was caused by "acts of violence and sabotages, hostile attitude among rival political parties and absence of a desired system to stage a free, neutral and transparent election, Aziz said.