BNP, Gana Sanghati Unite for Polls-Time Govt

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said Gana Sanghati Andolan has agreed with their party on waging united movement on several demands, including holding the upcoming parliamentary elections under a non partisan government, reports media.

The BNP secretary general and Gana Sanghati Andolan chief coordinator Junaid Saki told reporters following a meeting held at Hatirpool area in the capital on Tuesday. Earlier, leaders of both parties held a closed-door meeting from 12:00noon to 2:00 pm.

BNP held the talks as part of the party’s dialogue with opposition parties aimed at forging unity to launch a greater movement for restoration of democracy. BNP’s standing committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku; Gana Sanghati Andolan executive coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel, political council members Taslima Akhter and Hasan Maruf Rumi were also present at the meeting.

After the meeting, Fakhrul said, “Today, BNP delegation held talks with Gana Sanghati. It is a matter of hope that we have been able to reach a consensus on many issues. We have agreed on the points to remove the fascist government and establish a government of the people.”

He further said, “We are also agreed on the points that this government must resign, the parliament should be abolished, a neutral election time government should be formed and the Election Commission should be formed under that government.”

The BNP secretary general says in some case few words of the talks may differ but they have no differences on those demands.

It is necessary to bring changes in the constitution on some fundamental issues in order to institutionalize democracy in the true sense, said Fakhrul adding, “We believe that we can reach a consensus on the basis of dialogue on this issue.”

Mentioning the dialogue held with Gana Sanghati as fruitful, Fakhrul said, “We are optimistic that the talks have been very fruitful. It will be continued. The process of negotiation that we have started will be able to reach a logical stage very soon.”

The BNP secretary general said the two sides had agreed on the main demand for the release of political prisoners, including BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

“We have agreed on waging united movement,” he added.

Criticizing the present government, Gana Sanghati chief coordinator Junaid Saki told reporters, “Both the parties are deeply concerned about the authoritarian ruling of this government. The way in which this government is ruling has made people the worst suffers, divided, led the whole state to disaster and threatened Bangladesh’s sovereignty in the international arena.”

He said both parties have found many similarities while observing this reality.

Mentioning that a change of this reality is needed, Junaid Saki said democracy is the only way to get out of this danger.

No election is possible under the current government, he said.

Demanding resignation of the government, Junaid Saki said vote robbery held at night before December 30 elections despite the Prime Minister’s dialogue held in 2018.

He said, “The people of the country do not believe that a fair election will be held under this government. Present government must resign and dissolve the parliament. We have to create an environment for fair elections under polls-time government.”

Opposition political parties have reached on a greater consensus, said Junaid Saki.