BNP wants dialogue: Govt for street solution

Special Correspondent

BNP and its allies are  continuing blockade and hartals to press for a dialogue and inclusive national election but the government continues to talk in the language of guns.
Pro-BNP intellectuals at a discussion here on Wednesday stressed the need for holding an inclusive national election under a government formed by a national consensus to overcome the current political crisis.
They noted that only a transparent and acceptable election can help the country get over the current political crisis.
The discussion, styled ‘Recent National Crisis: Ways to Overcome’, was held at Shaheed Shafiur Rahman Auditorium of Supreme Court Bar Association Building under the banner of ‘Sushil Samaj’.
Speaking on the occasion, former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Emajuddin Ahmed on behalf of ‘Sushil Samaj’ recommended a national unity government to get over the political crisis, saying ‘The task of the unity government will be to arrange an all inclusive election to properly run all the activities of the people’s republic’.
“Only an all inclusive, credible, transparent and acceptable election can help the nation get over the existing great crisis,” he said.
Prof Emajuddin also noted that the 15th amendment to the constitution had not reflected the will of the people of the country and is hindering the functions of the state apparatuses.
“As the current system has become ineffective for resolving the crisis through fair and acceptable elections due to the 15th amendment, the will of the people as the source of power has not been reflected in it,” he said.
Presided over by SCBA president Khandker Mabbub Hossain and moderated by former president of a faction of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Ruhul Amin Gazi, the discussion was also addressed by former Chief Election Commissioner and Justice Abdur Rouf former pro-vice chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Prof Dr Abdul Mannan and columnist Farhad Mazhar.
Meanwhile, blaming  BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia as the ‘queen of anarchy and trouble’, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu on Tuesday said the country’s ongoing crisis will be resolved on the streets, not on the negotiation table.
He, however, said they may consider sitting in talks only if Khaleda Zia stops violence unleashed across the country.
The minister was speaking at a ‘Meet-the-Press’ programme organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters’ Forum at the Secretariat.
Referring to Ganoforum president Dr Kamal Hossain’s call for an effective dialogue to break the ongoing stalemate, Inu said those suggesting talks should ask Khaleda first to stop the violence before inviting the Prime Minister. “Ask her (Khaleda) to leave militancy and war criminals before talking about politics, election and democracy.”
He further said if the arsonists are to go to jail for their crimes, the BNP chairperson should also be put behind the bars for instigating violence through her statements and speeches.

Source: Weekly Holiday