Bikalpadhara chief Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury on Friday called upon all opposition political parties to forge unity during the month of Ramadan to prepare for launching vigorous movements on the streets after Eid-ul Fitr. He was addressing the introductory meeting of Bikalpa Jubadhara at the Dhaka Jila Krira Sangstha auditorium, with Bikalpa Jubadhara president Obaidur Rahman Mridha in the chair.
Chowdhury, also a former president, said despite Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s staunch opposition, the next election must be held under a non-party caretaker government. He also said all opposition parties should forge unity during Ramadan and that the movement for restoration of the caretaker government provision would begin after Eid. He further said there would be no room for terrorism or corruption in this regard.
“All candidates should take oath by touching holy books that they wouldn’t promote terrorism or corruption, if elected,” he added.
Chowdhury said the current political standoff would cease if the Prime Minister declares that the next election would be held under a caretaker government. He also said that the Prime Minister should honour the constitutional rights of the government as well as the opposition by making such a declaration.
Bikalpadhara joint secretary general Mahi B Chowdhury said the Prime Minister herself might lose her Gopalganj constituency, if the next election is held under a non-party caretaker government. “The Prime Minister understands politics better than other people. She knows that if the forthcoming general poll is held under a non-party caretaker administration, she may even lose her own parliamentary seat. For this, Hasina doesn’t want to restore the caretaker government system,” he added.
He said the country will pass through a phase of political mayhem from August to December this year. “There is no alternative to movements. The Prime Minister’s proposal is nothing but a waste of time. A movement is the only way to realise our demand,” he added.
Mahi, also spokesperson of Bikalpadhara, said the BNP must join hands with other political parties to launch anti-government programmes.
Bikalpadhara secretary general Maj. (retd) Abdul Mannan, presidium member Dr Nurul Amin Bepari,
Mohammad Yusuf, Mahbub Alai and Prof. Asaduzzaman Bacchu, among others, addressed the meeting.
-With The Independent input
