| Hold credible polls, restore democracy : Politicians, professionals ask caretaker govt Calling for greater unity to restore and strengthen democracy, leaders of different political parties and professional bodies yesterday said elections should be held immediately to end the existing crises in the country. A quick election would be better for the nation, otherwise people might lose their patience as problems are rapidly developing in people's lives, they said at a roundtable discussion urging the authorities to withdraw the state of emergency and hold dialogues to create an atmosphere for a credible election. Peshajibi Somonnoy Parishad organised the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club and accorded a floral reception to four recently released Dhaka University (DU) teachers. Political leaders also said in order to make the proposed political dialogues effective and fruitful, issues concerning people's lives have to be included in the agenda along with election related issues. Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Abdur Razzak said, "We the politicians have patience but there are doubts whether the people will keep theirs." There is also a feeling of distrust among people whether the elections would be held and if it is held then how free and fair would it be, he added. "If the present government continues until December then people might say that they were better off before 1/11," Tofail Ahmed, AL presidium member said adding that they want to participate in the dialogues unconditionally to help the government hold elections. He said there is no need for dialogues if the government puts conditions for it.He hoped elections would be held soon as promised by the chief adviser, the army chief and the chief election commissioner. Expressing apprehension that real corrupt people would be turned into kings of the political arena due to the incorrect policies of the government, Rashed Khan Menon, president of Workers Party Bangladesh, said they have to discuss the sufferings of the people during the dialogues. AL Presidium Member Suranjit Sengupta said, "The president should be tried for flouting the constitution."He said the immediate past prime minister and her cohorts should be tried for their wrongdoings in connection with the grenade attack on the Awami League rally and corruption. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu said President Iajuddin Ahmed, former prime minister Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique, former ministers Nizami and Babar are responsible for 1/11. We want an effective dialogue that would be able to remove obstacles for the elections, he said. Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh, said people have doubts growing in their minds since the "anti-corruption drives are going on with political intentions". Stressing the need for a free and fair election, he said, "A bad election is better than no election and no election is better than a farce one." Bikalpa Dhara Secretary General Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan said it would be better for the nation if the elections are held as soon as possible. Protesting the recent restriction placed on the media, Prof Arefin Siddique, former president of Dhaka University Teachers Association (Duta), urged the authorities to announce a date for elections. Among others recently released DU teachers Prof Anwar Hossain, President of Duta Prof Sadrul Amin, Prof Harun-or-Rashid and Prof Neem Chandra Bhowmik, Jatiya Party Presidium Member GM Quader, Liberal Democratic Party Presidium Member Ziaur Rahman Khan, AL acting Secretary General Syed Ashraful Islam, Gonotontri Party President Nurul Islam, former lawmaker Dr Abdur Razzak, Barrister Amir-ul Islam also took part in the discussion meeting with Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, convenor of the parishad, in the chair. |
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