PM’s phone call to oppn leader eyewash, he says
BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed on Thursday alleged that the Representation of the People Order (RPO) has been amended with an ill motive to spoil politics.
“The aim of the RPO amendment is to destroy politics. Politics won’t remain in the hands of politicians as the amendment will create the prospect for opportunists and nonpolitical persons to pursue politics depriving the dedicated politicians,” he said.
Moudud also alleged that the ruling party has amended the RPO mainly to make its narrow political gains.
He came up with the allegation while addressing a meeting organised in memory of late journalist Gias Kamal Chowdhury at the Jatiya Press Club.
On October 26, seasoned journalist Gias Kamal Chowdhury died of old-age related illnesses at a city hospital at the age of 74.
Addressing the meeting, Moudud said following the RPO amendment those who will join any party with huge money will get the party tickets depriving the real and dedicated politicians.
Parliament on Monday passed the ‘Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2013.
Terming the incumbent Election Commission a government agent, the BNP leader said people have no respect for the commission for its partisan and controversial role.
Turning to the issue of telephone conversation between the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader, he said it is good news that they talked to each other but the Prime Minister’s call was merely eyewash.
“The Prime Minister didn’t phone with an intention for dialogue or compromise. Her phone call was eyewash. She tried to give people an impression that she wanted dialogue but she did not phone to sit in talks, the BNP leader claimed.
Mentioning that the opposition leader did not reject the Prime Minister’s offer for talks, Moudud said if the premier and her party fix schedule for the dialogue the BNP chief will join it.
“We’re always against violence, and in favour of negotiation. The government has created the current political crisis in the country and it has to overcome it. If the crisis isn’t resolved through discussions, there’ll be no option left for the country’s people but to take to the streets,” he observed.
Source: UNB Connect
