Country under grip of criminalised democracy: Dr Kamal

He also demands non-partisan polls-time govt for fair election

 Gonoforum president Dr Kamal Hossain on Tuesday lamented that the country is now under the grip of so-called democracy which is controlled by criminals.

“The state belongs to people…they don’t want monarchy and political dynasty. They want pure democracy,” he told a meeting at his party office in the capital this evening.

Dr Kamal said the convicted criminals, who were sentenced to death for killing, have got presidential clemency. “If people are the source of power, how do you pardon them?” he questioned.

About the criminalisation of politics, he said political leaders spend ‘stolen money’ during polls. “According to election rules, a candidate can spend only Tk 30 lakh in the general election, but they spend 10 times higher than of the stipulated amount.”

The Gonoforum president said there are only a handful of criminals in the country compared to its huge poor people, but they have got huge stolen money. “About 99 percent of the country’s people are farmers and workers, but they aren’t criminals,” he told the meeting.

The eminent jurist stressed the need for electing honest and efficient candidates in the upcoming general election to usher in a new horizon of politics in the country.

He said people want to see the next general election to be held under a non-partisan government to make it fair and acceptable to all.

“If we fail to hold a fair election, the honest and efficient candidates won’t get elected. We need a congenial atmosphere to elect honest and efficient candidates,” Dr Kamal said.

Source: UNB Connect