Country not any political party’s property: Dr Kamal

‘Representative democracy is a must’

 

Veteran politician and noted jurist Dr Kamal on Thursday lamented that the country’s two major political parties –- Awami League and BNP — treat the country as their own property forgetting that it actually belongs to its 16 crore people.

“The two major parties consider the country as their own property. There’s no scope of thinking like that. The constitution doesn’t give any party the country’s ownership. The country belongs to its 16 crore people,” he said.

Kamal came up with the remarks while addressing a discussion titled ‘Citizen’s thoughts on resolving the ongoing national crisis’ organised by Bangladesh Jatiya Party at the Jatiya Press Club.

He said Awami League and BNP has failed to ensure a healthy practice of democracy and give it a good shape even after the country’s 42 years of independence.

Kamal, also the president of Gano Forum, said the country’s 16 crore people cannot exercise their due power. “Therefore, a representative democracy is a must. If the representatives are not made properly, the 16 crore people will be deprived of due services.”

He observed that Awami League and BNP give an impression that there is no alternative to them in politics. “But alternatives are necessary for people. We need treatment for our disease of getting overwhelmed seeing any particular party and its symbol. Persons should be given the priority, not the symbol and the party.”

The growing influence of the two parties is a sign of emergence of autocracy, Dr Kamal said, adding, ”We’ve got blind to the two parties… it won’t bring any thing good for democracy.”

Mentioning that a free and fair election is very important for the nation, he said if the election doesn’t held in a free and fair manner, the defeated parties will be deprived of their rights.

Chaired by chief adviser to the Bangladesh Jatiya Party Dr MA Mukit, the programme was addressed by, among others, Krishak Sramik Janata League president Abdul Kader Siddiqui, opposition chief whip Zainul Abedin Farroque, AL leader Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed and Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna.

Source: UNB Connect