200 political leaders of Rajshahi pledge to win with peace

Rajshahi, Oct 25 – 200 political leaders from Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Rajshahi Division came on one platform in Rajshahi today to pledge for nonviolent and peaceful elections. The atmosphere was festive at the regional launch of the Shantite Bijoy (Win with Peace) campaign with enthusiastic participation by the political leaders of Rajshahi Division. The program was held today at Moon Light Garden, Shaheb Bazar in Rajshahi city.
At the launch, political leaders of Awami League and BNP of Rajshahi Division stood together in support of peace and harmony and together vowed against violence.
At the event, Rajshahi City former mayor and former MP and Advisor to the BNP Chairperson Mizanur Rahman Minu said, `Let us forget our past histories of hatred and blame game. We all should commit ourselves to restore peace. Rajshahi as a city is renowned for peaceful co-existence. Let us do that once again. Rajshahi will set examples and Bangladesh will follow.’
Rajshahi District AL General Secretary Dabliu Sarkar said, ` We are peace-loving people. We do not want violence. If DI can make us sit together, why can’t we sit together on our own? We do have common grounds to agree. Disagreement will be there and that is the beauty of democracy. But that should not make us hostile to each other.’
Ex-Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi University and Advisor to the District AL Professor Dr Abdul Khaleque said `We should do everything possible to ensure a peaceful election. Violence will only make the situation worse. We can absolutely rely on Bangabandhu’s daughter for ensuring democratic practices because her father has done the exact same thing.
Ex-Vice Chancellor of Islami University Kushtia Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam said, `If the politicians are not ensuring peace for the general mass of this country, they better be aware that they then cannot remain in peace either. Democracy International is the voice of every citizen of this country. They have created a platform for politicians to restore peace. I sincerely hope the politicians will do their part.
Additionally, Morjina Parvin, President, Bangladesh Mohila League, Rajshahi District; Lavli Rahman, President, Bangladesh Mohila Dal, Bogura District; Ratna Ahmed, President, Bangladesh Mohila League, Natore District; Rayhan Akhter Rony, Ex-MP, Bangladesh Nationalist Party; Asaduzzaman Asad, General Secretary, Rajshahi City AL; Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, President, Rajshahi City BNP spoke at the event. Moreover, civil society members of Sylhet, Political Fellows of Democracy International, Social-cultural activists and journalists were present at the regional launching event in Rajshahi.
With the national elections approaching, the Win with Peace campaign will engage and raise awareness among registered political parties, candidates, and citizens in Bangladesh on the importance of peaceful elections and tolerant politics. The campaign is providing the 16-crore people of Bangladesh with a platform to raise their voice to demand peace, harmony, and tolerant politics. The campaign is bringing together political leaders and citizens of Bangladesh in peace rallies, face to face dialogues with candidates, roundtable meetings, and workshops across Bangladesh.
The Win with Peace campaign is implemented under Strengthening Political Landscape (SPL) project implemented by Democracy International and co-funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (UK Aid). – Press release