Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman Hussain Mohammad Ershad on Friday called upon all political parties to work together for the continuation of democracy in the country. “It would be excellent if all political parties could work unitedly for the betterment of our country and democracy,” he said while addressing an iftar party hosted by Jatiya Party at the Westin Hotel in the city.
Several hundred people including leaders of different political parties, diplomats and editors of national newspapers attended the iftar party which commonly takes place in Bangladesh during the holy month of fasting.
Gen. Ershad, who is also the former president of the country, was delighted to see so many prominent national politicians at the iftar party. In his traditional style with a smiling face, he greeted the invited guests and shook hands with them.
“I am very pleased to see you all here. It is a fantastic get together. If this kind of friendly environment prevails in our country, our politics and society would be a lot better,” he told the politicians adding: “We are all friends, not each other’s enemy.”
The JP leader said the next generation does not want to see the politics of confrontation in our country. “People do not want shutdowns anymore in the country; they want peaceful transfer of power,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif said the framework for the poll-time government would be determined after taking opinions from all parties to hold the next general elections in a free, fair and credible manner.
Referring to the gathering of politicians from all sides at the ifter party hosted by HM Ershad, the Awami League leader said: “We may have differences over politics but we don’t have any dispute over national issues. That kind of dispute must not have any room in Bangladesh.”
BNP Standing Committee member Moudud Ahmed, who also attended the Jatiya Party iftar gathering, later told reporters that the election-time government should be formed with equal participation of all political parties in order to hold a free, fair and credible election.
“It is the government that should take the initiative first for holding a dialogue to form the poll-time government. This is our sincere desire,” Moudud Ahmed said adding: “Now it is up to the government whether it will choose confrontation or compromise.”
The party was attended, among others, by
Awami League presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser for Public Administration HT Imam, Minister for Cultural Affairs Abul Kalama Azad, AL Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, Chief Whip Vice Principal Abdus Shahid, BNP Standing Committee members — Barrister Moudud Ahmed and MK Anwar, BNP vice president Abdullah Al Noman, President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Hasanul Haque Inu, President of Workers Party Rashed Khan Menon, President of JSD ASM Abdur Rob, former adviser of the caretaker government and Editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam, Editor of Samakal Golam Sarwar, Editor of Manabjamin Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, President of Nagorik Forum Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Ambassadors and High Commissioners of US, UK, India, Australia and the Maldives.
-With The Independent input
