Dialogue firms up opposition stand to oppose Jan 7 polls

A national dialogue on the current political situation was held at the initiative of the Pir Shaheb of Charmonai at the DRU auditorium in Dhaka on Tuesday. Photo collected.

The mainstream political opposition on Tuesday further firmed up their stand against what they called unilateral election schedule by ‘controversial Election Commission’and urged the people to refrain from going to polling centres on 7 January next.

This consensus was reached at a national dialogue called by the Pir Shaheb of Charmonai Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim who is also the Ameer of the Islami Andolan at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium.

Nazrul Islam Khan, member of BNP standing committee, Mostafa Jamal Haider, chairman, Jatiya Party (Zafar), Subrata Chowdhury of Gonoforum, Golam Mowla Rony, Barrister Kaiser of BNP, Saiful Huq, general secretary of Biplobi Workers Party, Nurul Huq Nur of Gono Odhikar Parishad were among the representatives of political parties, educationists, journalists, and professional bodies present. Theaders of the he parties represented in the 12-Party Alliance, the Ganatantra Manch and some other Islamist parties were also present. 

The Pir Shaheb presented a keynote paper at the start of the dialogue depicting the political situation and called for united movement to restore the people’s right to vote and save the country from the grips of corrupt people, money launderers, bank loan defaulters. He said that the state machinery is not succeeding to function properly due to partisan roles of the civilian administration and law enforcing agencies which are being used to protect the interests of the money launderers.

The Pir Shaheb presented three proposals – 1) Proper atmosphere of election should be created by dropping the polls schedule declared by the ‘controversial Election Commission’ and releasing arrested opposition leaders and workers; 2) The present ‘controversial parliament’ should be dissolved and elections called under a national government; and 3) Introduction of proportional representation for creating an effective parliament, political solidarity through cent percent reflection of the opinion of the people.      

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan said that the Pir Shaheb of Charmonai has performed a historic role of bringing all political parties to a national dialogue which helped develop greater understanding among them. He said political parties from far right to the left have come to a common platform due to what he termed injustice and repression from the government. ‘We all are oppressed,’ and  the Pir Shaheb has become part of history by bringing us together, he said.

He said that problem with the electoral process started on the day the caretaker system was abolished from the constitution on the plea of a Supreme Court verdict although the said amendment was passed even before the full verdict was available. Narrating the experience of the 2014 and 2018 elections he said that the people were now united not to join election under the present government, and solution lay in united movement.  

The Pir Shaheb of Charmonai said the government wanted to hold elections by letting loose repression on the people and urged the people not to join the same. He told Islamist leaders not to join hands with the government as Islam was now in a fragile state. The people made supreme sacrifices for the independence of Bangladesh. But now questions have arisen as to whether the independence and sovereignty of the country can be safeguarded. He urged Awami League people not to join this election if they had fought for the liberation of the country.

The function was also addressed by Mufti Syed Faizul Karim, Nayebe Ameer, Principal Mosaddeq Billah Al-Madani, member of presidium and Hafez Moulana Yunus Ahmed, general secretary of IAB, Hasnat Qayyum of Rastra Sangskar Andolan, Shahidullah, GS, Nagorik Oikya, Shahiduddin Mahmud, GS, JSD; Bachchu Bhuiyan of Gonosanghati Andolan, Habibur Rahman Ruzu of Bhasani Anusari Parishad, Prop Ashraf Ali Akand, political secretary of IAB, Prof. Abdul Latif Masum, former VC, Patuakhali University, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, editor, GreenWatch Dhaka, M Abdullah, president, BFUJ, Moulana Khalulur Rahman Madfani, president, united Ulema Mashayek Parishad, Mustafizur Rahman of Khelafat Andolan, Asaduzzaman Fuad of AB Party and Shahadat Hossain selim among others. – GreenWatch Dhaka News Desk