BNP standing committee member Rafiqul Islam Miah stressed the need for a consensus among all parties in the interest of the country's development and a 'participatory election' without any further delay, reports bdnews24.com.
The senior BNP leader made this observation at a discussion organised by Swadhinta Forum at the National Press Club in the city Sunday marking the 33rd death anniversary of president Ziaur Rahman.
Miah said Finance Minister AMA Muhith in his budget speech on June 5 had stressed the need for unity of all political parties to promote development.
"We also think an election participated by all parties should be held to get rid of gross human rights violations like abductions and killings. Otherwise, we will not come out of the terrible predicament," the BNP leader said.
"There was no democracy and rule of law in 1972-75. Bangladesh turned into a bottomless basket," he further said.
He said Zia had introduced multi-party democracy during his tenure, putting an end to the era of one-party rule.
"But today the government is again moving toward a one-party rule by killing democracy," Miah said.
BNP for immediate participatory polls
FE Team | Published: June 09, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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