Bangladesh’s army chief has again brushed aside speculation that the military would put the country under martial law and take power directly.
He has, however, defended the military-backed non-party caretaker government that has been governing the country since the figurehead President Iajuddin Ahmed declared a state of emergency in the wake of political strife and uncertainty on January 11.
“I have no intention or ambition to be in politics or to go beyond my role as the army chief,” General Moeen U Ahmed told a group of newspaper editors on Wednesday. “We would like to see a competent, honest and committed leadership to run the country in future.”
The general’s categorical statement came when people were wondering who was governing the country — the caretaker government or the military.

Assisting govt
Though the military’s presence is felt in the administration, he said the army was only assisting the caretaker government.
“The army is not the proper institution to govern the country,” he said. “We have resisted all temptations because we do not want to be involved in politics or run the government.”
The general made it clear that the caretaker administration would carry out reforms, hold credible elections and hand over power to an elected government.
Holding elections is the main target of this government, he said. The government has formulated short, medium and long-term recipes to deal with crucial problems. The present government was dealing with short-term agenda while the next elected government will take steps to resolve the problems facing the nation.