Govt breaches level playing field pledge: B Chowdhury

Juktafront Chairman Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury on Thursday said the government has breached its promise to ensure a level-playing field by not allowing their alliance leaders and journalist to go to Satkhira by a helicopter to join a public rally.

In a statement, he said, “It’s certain that the government has directly or indirectly taken steps to stop our public rally. We strongly protest and condemn the government’s such anti-democratic move. It’s also a clear violation of the pledge to create a level-playing field.”

B Chowdhury, also a former President, said the breach of commitment does not reflect the government’s good will. “Such behaviour cannot be accepted in any way in the future and we’ll surely be forced to take alternative steps if it happens again.”

He said Juktafront was all set to hold a rally in Satkhira arranged by Bikolpa Dhara Bangladesh’s presidium member and its potential candidate Golam Reza. However, the Juktafront chief said the authorities of Shahjalal International Airport did not allow the helicopter carrying Juktafront leaders and journalists to take off in the morning.

He said the Prime Minister during the recent talks with them gave a strong commitment that they will be able to hold rallies and campaign anywhere in the country for the sake of ensuring a level-playing field.“But it’s a matter of regret that we couldn’t join the public rally in Satkhira due to obstruction to the helicopter take-off,” he added.

source: UNB