He favours dissolution of parliament ahead of polls
Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon on Sunday said the ban on rallies and processions in the capital is destroying the environment for dialogue to resolve the ongoing political problems.
“I think the ban is destroying the environment for talks. It’s a barrier to expression of opinion. I hope the government and police will withdraw the ban to ensure the continuation of democratic process,” he told a press conference at his party office in the city.
The press conference was arranged to give official reaction to the Prime Minister’s address to the nation.
Menon, also an ally of the ruling grand alliance, said they have always been vocal against such ban.
He said putting the ministries of Home, Public Administration, LGRD and Cooperatives and Finance under the Election Commission will help create a level-playing field for the next election. Menon also favoured dissolution of parliament ahead of the election.
The lawmaker claimed that the speech of the Prime Minister is ambiguous to some extent and that can be cleared through discussions with the political parties.
Emphasising the political dialogue, Menon said it is urgent to reach a consensus through dialogue for a free and fair election. “Dialogue is still possible.”
Earlier, opposition BNP said the ban on holding meetings and rallies is a government plot to annihilate democracy and demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision paving the path for it to hold its scheduled rally in the city on October 25.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) imposed a ban on holding any kind of rally and bringing out procession in the capital from 6 am Sunday.
The ban came as the ruling and opposition alliances called their respective meetings in the city for October 25 in an apparent bid to stage big showdowns at the fag end of the current regime’s tenure.
Source: UNB Connect
