Delwar asks govt to consult BNP chief on major national issues

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FE Team | Published: December 24, 2009 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

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BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain has asked the government to consult Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia in taking steps on national issues, failing which the party along with the people will stand against any step that harms country's interests.
He renewed BNP's offer to extend cooperation to the government in running the country for the welfare of the people.
But, he said, the opposition party would be forced to take to street if the Awami League (AL) government did not refrain from its 'repressive and undemocratic' steps and conduct.
Mr Hossain made the call and caution while briefly addressing a human chain organised by Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, the volunteers' wing of BNP, in protest against "repression" on journalists by the ruling party in the city Wednesday, reports UNB.
He again said BNP certainly wants to go to parliament as it believes in parliamentary and multiparty democracy, but the government would have to create congenial atmosphere for its return to the House.
To create environment, he said, all "false" cases against BNP leaders, including Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, will have to be withdrawn, the government will have to stop the move to evict Khaleda Zia from her residence in Cantonment and restore people's fundamental rights.
"BNP does not believe in politics of boycott. We want to go to parliament, but you (government) are blocking the way. You have made the parliament ineffective by turning it into a one-party parliament," said Mr Hossain.
Reacting to AL Presidium Member Obaidul Kader's remarks, he said the AL had introduced the culture and practice of boycotting parliament since 1991 and also resigned from the parliament. The same tactics and practice it had also adopted in 2001.
He said the AL lawmakers had taken salaries and other allowances despite abstaining from parliament. "Would it be wise to advise BNP on this score?" he posed a question to the ruling-party leader.
Khondoker Delwar further reminded that the AL lawmakers had signed in the attendance book on the 90th day to protect their parliament memberships and justify their absence from parliament. "People didn't forget those," he retorted.
The BNP secretary general strongly condemned the "repression" on journalists, saying that the ruling AL, which claims itself as an elected government after 34 years, has taken "the old technique of repression on journalists".
He also reminded that AL in 1975 had banned all newspapers save the four dailies of their "choice" and "snatched the fundamental rights of journalists".
He advised that the AL should appreciate it if any journalist makes any true and objective reporting.
On the other hand, if anybody is hurt by any news or it is untrue, they can go for legal action against it. And if the existing law is not sufficient for ensuring justice, it can take move for revising the law in parliament without taking recourse to repression, which is a "threat to democracy".
He also requested the journalists to write true and objective reports to play their role in guiding society on right track and strengthen democracy.
Among others, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Mirza Abbas, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amanullah Aman, Salauddin Ahmed, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anie MP, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Nazimuddin Alam, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Shirin Sultana, Elias Ali, Habibul Islam Habib, Nurul Kabir Shahin, Ferdous Ahmed Khokon, Rafiq Shikder, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Amirul Islam Alim and Habibur Rahman Habib were present at the programme.
Swhechchhasebak Dal President Habibun-Nabi Khan Sohel also addressed the event conducted by its General Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu.