RULING Awami League has invited Opposition political alliance Jatiya Oikyafront at the Prime Minister’s official residence Gono Bhaban tomorrow (Thursday) at 7:00pm for talks over elections. Awami League’s Office Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap hand-delivered the invitation letter to Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday morning. In a press briefing at his Secretariat office, Awami League General Secretary yesterday told that there was no pressure from any quarter for being agreed in a dialogue.
Oikyafront, is campaigning with a seven-point charter including release of Khaleda Zia, Chief of its key alliance member BNP, and election under a non-partisan administration. Apart from inviting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for taking steps towards dialogue, Dr Kamal wrote about Bangabandhu’s ideology and the political situation in Bangladesh. In the letter, Dr Kamal said Bangabandhu taught the nation how healthy politics unite a nation and turn it into a force to realise people’s legitimate rights.
The 11-point goal announced by the alliance includes ensuring checks and balances in the state power, decentralisation of administration, freeing MPs from the stringent restrictions imposed on them under Article 70 of the Constitution, formation of a constitutional commission to make appointments to all constitutional and other important posts and full independence of the judiciary. The alliance also announced a seven-point demand, including the one for holding the next parliamentary election under a nonpartisan government, dissolution of parliament before the polls and recasting the Election Commission.
Democracy is one of the main spirits that encouraged us to go for the freedom fight and to sacrifice our lives; and the motto of the democracy is to arrange a free, fair and impartial election. It remains to be seen just how fruitful the dialogue will be. Can the Oikyafont leaders like Dr Kamal persuade the PM to fulfil its seven points, or will the dialogue end without any consensus.
Whatever happens, it is an important first step for the government to recognise that the demands of the Oikyafront have some basis in reality. Of course, it’s the beginning of a new chapter in our democratic process.
Oikyafront, is campaigning with a seven-point charter including release of Khaleda Zia, Chief of its key alliance member BNP, and election under a non-partisan administration. Apart from inviting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for taking steps towards dialogue, Dr Kamal wrote about Bangabandhu’s ideology and the political situation in Bangladesh. In the letter, Dr Kamal said Bangabandhu taught the nation how healthy politics unite a nation and turn it into a force to realise people’s legitimate rights.
The 11-point goal announced by the alliance includes ensuring checks and balances in the state power, decentralisation of administration, freeing MPs from the stringent restrictions imposed on them under Article 70 of the Constitution, formation of a constitutional commission to make appointments to all constitutional and other important posts and full independence of the judiciary. The alliance also announced a seven-point demand, including the one for holding the next parliamentary election under a nonpartisan government, dissolution of parliament before the polls and recasting the Election Commission.
Democracy is one of the main spirits that encouraged us to go for the freedom fight and to sacrifice our lives; and the motto of the democracy is to arrange a free, fair and impartial election. It remains to be seen just how fruitful the dialogue will be. Can the Oikyafont leaders like Dr Kamal persuade the PM to fulfil its seven points, or will the dialogue end without any consensus.
Whatever happens, it is an important first step for the government to recognise that the demands of the Oikyafront have some basis in reality. Of course, it’s the beginning of a new chapter in our democratic process.
