Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman Monday reiterated the government's firm stand against the participation of corrupt, convicted and listed criminals in the upcoming polls, reports BSS.
"Our position is clear about their participation in the coming elections and there is no room to make any change of our position to keep them out of the electoral race," he said.
The Commerce Adviser was speaking at a joint press briefing at the Chief Adviser's Office after a political dialogue with the leaders of Jatiya Party (Ershad).
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed attended the talks, 20th of its kind, while Acting Chairman of JP Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud led a nine-member delegation of the party.
Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, LGRD Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal, Law Adviser AF Hassan Ariff and Communications Adviser Ghulam Quader were present at the briefing.
The Commerce Adviser, however, made it clear that the ongoing drive against corruption and terrorism would continue effectively and competently towards fulfilling the objectives of the government.
He said holding of high standard and meaningful elections with the participation of honest and capable persons would be made possible if the parties nominate quality candidates in the polls.
The Election Commission (EC) has taken a number of decisions so that honest and dedicated candidates could contest in the polls, Dr Zillur said.
About launching of rationing system for the lower middle class people due to price hike for essentials, Dr Hossain Zillur said the government was implementing different programmes on the basis of financial ability for economic emancipation of the people.
Responding to a question, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said the government wants to move forward together to present a peaceful and credible election. He expressed the hope that all stakeholders would participate in their march.
The Commerce Adviser said the government is working to create an environment conducive to holding a credible election and the political parties should extend their support to the government's efforts in this regard.
He said the government is defusing confusions of all quarters through dialogue about demarcation of constituencies, flawless voters list and independence of local government bodies.
Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud said that they held an open discussion with the government on the future of the country's politics and holding of elections.
He said the JP appreciated the government for its firm stand against corruption and terrorism, which earned huge popular support as well as restructuring the EC, Public Service Commission and Anti-corruption Commission.
The JP Acting Chairman, however, urged the government to further strengthen its stand against corruption and terrorism for the interest of the nation.
Hailing the government for taking steps in holding the local elections along with Upazila polls, he said these were long-term demands of the Jatiya Party.
The nine-member JP delegation to the dialogue also included ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, TIM Fazley Rabbi, Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, Md Golam Habib Dulal and Mostafa Jamal Haider.
