Leaders of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) on Tuesday suggested that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina take necessary steps for holding the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner with the participation of all political parties. The leaders of the two left leaning political parties made the suggestion at a meeting at with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban Tuesday night. The left leaders also requested Sheikh Hasina to consider the question of forming the caretaker government for another two terms according to complete verdict of Supreme Court on the issue.
When contacted BSD general secretary Khalequzzaman, he told The Independent that they called upon the prime minister to find out an acceptable solution in order to hold a participatory election, after holding dialogues with all political parties of the country. “We asked the premier that it was your responsibility to ensure a free, fair and participatory election,” he told this correspondent.
Talking to The Independent CPB central leader Ruhin Hossain Prince said, “We told the premier that we have no specific formula on the election time government but you (Hasina) should find out an acceptable formula taking opinions from different political parties.”
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina apprised the left leaders that she would take steps for holding a participatory election under the Constitution, the BSD central leader Bazlur Rashid Firoz told The Independent.
They also called on the prime minister to refrain from implementing the Rampal Thermal Power Plant, as it would be harmful for Sundarban.
They also requested her to hold a token debate on the issue before implementing the project.
BSS adds: At the meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina warned that defeat of the pro-liberation forces in the next election would be a big blow for the country’s democracy as well as development.
The meeting with the CPB and BSD leaders was held as part of the PM’s initiative to discuss with all political parties to thrive a way for smooth holding of the next general election. Praising the role of the left parties in the country’s all democratic movements, the Prime Minister sought their support for holding a free, fair and neutral election to make the democracy sustainable.
-With The Independent input
