Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed on Saturday its willingness to sit with BNP for discussion on referendum issue.
Assistant secretary general of Jamaat AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad revealed it at a dialogue held at a city hotel on Saturday.
Jamaat-e-Islami wants referendum to be held before the national polls, which are expected to be held in February next year; while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is insisting that the referendum and parliamentary elections must be held on the same day.
"We (Jamaat) wanted to sit for a dialogue with the BNP secretary general. They (BNP) said that they wouldn't sit with us (Jamaat). But still we (Jamaat ) are ready to sit for a dialogue with the BNP on referendum issue. If needed, we (Jamaat) will also encourage other political parties for discussion on the issue," he said.
"July Charter was signed. But the way how to implement it was not signed. The dispute arose when the National Consensus Commission recommended to the government (interim)," he said.
"Discussion and raising voice on the streets could go side by side as we ( Jamaat) are not committing violence," he continued.
Opposing the proposal for holding referendum on the same day of the national elections, he said, "In the national election, voters focus on their respective parties and candidates. In the past, there was instance of capturing polling centres. If people are to cast two votes (referendum and parliamentary votes) on the same day, then it will be time-consuming, and there will be low voter turnout, and then they (parties that demand referendum and parliamentary elections be held on the same day) would say that people did not give their verdict in favour of July Charter" he maintained.
He said that the administration that was seen during the fascist period still exists and thus people do not have trust in them.
He also said that if referendum was held before the national polls then it will build up public confidence and there will be fine national elections.
BSS adds: Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami and former lawmaker Mia Golam Parwar has called on all to unite against injustice and actively work for welfare of the nation.
Emphasizing the role of youth, he said morally upright and idealistic young people are essential to building a just and welfare-oriented society founded on fairness and principles.
Mia Golam Parwar made the remarks while speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of the 'Night Festival Football Tournament' organised by the West Shiromoni Young Society under Khan Jahan Ali thana of khulna district on Saturday.
Parwar lamented that youth in the country remain neglected despite being the main force of development. He said the state has failed to provide opportunities for their intellectual and moral growth.
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