Teacher and columnist Salimullah Khan has called upon the political parties to draw up a way that ensures an inclusive election.
He made the appeal speaking at a roundtable bdnews24.com organised on Saturday to get an idea of where Bangladesh is heading after the Opposition-boycotted Jan 5 general election.
He stressed on the need for a system ‘exclusively prior to the polls’.
“Consensus will have to be reached before the 11th polls, lest Awami League decides to stay away from it.”
“Our constitution does not allow separate polls. A Hindu organisation recently said they want separate polls for Hindus.”
It is because of the specific targeting of Hindus after election, he added.
“Provincial leaders weakened Moghuls but could not take up leadership themselves, said Marx, and the English took advantage of that. This is the kid of crisis we are facing now,” Khan observed.
“Violence occurred over the polls this time. And the trial of (suspected) war criminals added flare to it. It’s now time to think whether something can be chalked out only for the run-up to the polls,” Khan said.
About the CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim’s demand for outlawing the Jamaat-e-Islami, he said those who would ally with ‘terrorists’ would be identified as ‘terrorists’ themselves.
“If the Jamaat is outlawed as a terrorist party, those who would join hands with such outlawed party will be identified in the same way. These matters should be dealt with through a consensus.”
He believes the political parties should reach an agreement before the 11th general election.
Earlier, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said that the people’s right to vote will not return if the current situation continues.
He said that the Jan 5 election was not ‘politically’ valid.
“This is valid constitutionally, but not politically. In no way was it an election which represented the people’s will.
“The right to vote in the election cannot be there unless an election which is participated by all is ensured,” said the former Commerce Minister.
He raised the demand for non-party polls-time government.
Senior Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed said there was scope for dialogue with the BNP about a fresh general election, but added that the BNP will not take part in the polls if its win was not ensured.
“An election is held for five years. A government tries to be in the office for 5 years.
“We have never said that there was no need for talks. The 11th parliamentary elections will definitely be held, and for that the talks will take place,” the Commerce Minister commented, speaking about the BNP’s demand for a non-party government.
The Awami League left no stones unturned to make BNP join the polls, according to the ruling party’s Advisory Committee member.
“It’s unfortunate that didn’t happen, but we tried our best.”
Criticising the BNP’s decision to not come in the polls, he said, “The BNP did not join this time, what happens if the Awami League does not the next time? Will this go on?
“The BNP did not give any proposal after accepting one. The Awami League cannot take so many responsibilities. If talks start tomorrow, issues like ‘Parliament has to be dissolved…we will not accept Sheikh Hasina’ will come up, this is not realistic.”
The Commerce Minister of the newly-installed government said they would work for the prosperity of the country leaving all political divides aside.
The new government is working for turning the country democratic and non-communal, Tofail added.
Leading politicians, diplomats, business personalities, analysts and activists came together at bdnews24.com to discuss where Bangladesh is heading after the elections.
Along with the Commerce Minister and Amir Khosru, Mujahidul Islam Selim, President of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, represented the political class at the debate.
Former Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, former caretaker finance adviser AB Mirza M Azizul Islam, columnist Salimullah Khan and former ambassador Nasim Ferdous also took part in the dialogue.
Also among the discussants were leading rights activists Ayesha Khanam and Khushi Kabir.
Senior journalist Amanullah Kabir and Managing Director of Ekattor Television Mozammel Babu also joined the event.
Editor-in-chief of bdnews24.com Toufique Imrose Khalidi moderated the discussion.
-Bdnews24
