The BNP did not call for the reinstatement of a caretaker government but rather urged that the current interim administration perform its duties neutrally, akin to a caretaker government, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on various contemporary issues, Dr Nazrul said the interim government is already functioning with neutrality.

Referring to the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, he said political divisions among parties have cast uncertainty over whether the polls will be held in February as planned. “However, if progress continues in line with the July Charter, this uncertainty will ease,” he added.

The law adviser further said that, in the run-up to the polls, the Chief Adviser himself will closely monitor different aspects of public administration.

Commenting on the issue of bringing accused army officers before the tribunal, Dr Nazrul said cooperation from all, including the Army Chief, has been commendable. 

“Decisions regarding keeping them in sub-jail fall entirely under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry, so I have no authority to comment on that matter,” he added.

His remarks came a day after BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a press briefing that the interim government should immediately begin functioning like an election-time caretaker government.

Following a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna on Tuesday evening, Mirza Fakhrul said, “Before the election, it is essential to assure the people that the administration will act neutrally.”