BKP wants local-body polls before JS election
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Bangladesh Kolyan Party (BKP) Wednesday alerted the caretaker government (CG) to insidious comments of few political parties or quarters about military forces "to provoke a face-off between the people and the armed forces".
The newly-floated political party, which is now 205-day old, made the suggestion during its dialogue with the government at the Chief Adviser's Office, as part of the ongoing consultations with the parties on transition from the current interim regime.
Asked to clarify the matter of people-military confrontation at a post-dialogue joint press briefing, BKP Chairman Syed M Ibrahim said the chief of a big political party stated in the dock that they 'will see their end'.
Gen Ibrahim interpreted that the word 'their' indicated the CG and those backing this government.
He said as the CG is not an elected government so the joint forces are rendering their hard labour in support of the interim government.
The retired army general termed 'will see them' as a serious vindictive word.
On this score, Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman, who is working as the CG's spokesman in the series dialogue with the political parties, said the national dialogue would have to advance on the basis of objective statement considering overall statements.
Gen Ibrahim, who led a seven-member delegation to the talks, said they stated in the dialogue that according to his party's evaluation people's confidence in the CG has been on the decline in last 18 months.
The party suggested regaining people's confidence mainly in two ways: by introducing rationing system in rural and urban areas for the poor and apprising common masses, particularly rural people, in detail of the previous corruption and how it adversely impacted national life.
About the downturn in people's confidence, Dr Zillur said history would consider the subject of popularity. "The present government was moving ahead focusing on their responsibility," he said, adding that they will certainly consider public concerns.
Replying to a question, the education adviser said there was no possibility of advancing parliamentary elections in October because of the factor of preparation. He, however, said elections for local bodies would not put any impact on national elections, slated for December.
The BKP proposed election of President by people's direct vote or vote of electoral colleges comprising people's elected representatives from various tiers-like Union Porishod, municipality, Upazila and parliament.
It also strongly advocated for holding all local-government elections, including Upazila polls, before the general election, or Upazila and parliamentary elections on the same day.
Gen Ibrahim proposed that ethnic groups be invited to take part in the dialogue process and asked for inviting Bangladesh Hindu League, the only political party representing Hindu community, which has already appealed to the Chief Adviser in this regard.
He also suggested inviting Christian and Buddhist communities under coverage of civil society as the people of the two religions have no political party of their own.
The other proposals in their nine-point proposition put forward in the dialogue include comprehensive administrative reforms, balance of power between MP and Minister, Ministers and Prime Minister, and Prime Minister and President.
The newly-floated political party, which is now 205-day old, made the suggestion during its dialogue with the government at the Chief Adviser's Office, as part of the ongoing consultations with the parties on transition from the current interim regime.
Asked to clarify the matter of people-military confrontation at a post-dialogue joint press briefing, BKP Chairman Syed M Ibrahim said the chief of a big political party stated in the dock that they 'will see their end'.
Gen Ibrahim interpreted that the word 'their' indicated the CG and those backing this government.
He said as the CG is not an elected government so the joint forces are rendering their hard labour in support of the interim government.
The retired army general termed 'will see them' as a serious vindictive word.
On this score, Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman, who is working as the CG's spokesman in the series dialogue with the political parties, said the national dialogue would have to advance on the basis of objective statement considering overall statements.
Gen Ibrahim, who led a seven-member delegation to the talks, said they stated in the dialogue that according to his party's evaluation people's confidence in the CG has been on the decline in last 18 months.
The party suggested regaining people's confidence mainly in two ways: by introducing rationing system in rural and urban areas for the poor and apprising common masses, particularly rural people, in detail of the previous corruption and how it adversely impacted national life.
About the downturn in people's confidence, Dr Zillur said history would consider the subject of popularity. "The present government was moving ahead focusing on their responsibility," he said, adding that they will certainly consider public concerns.
Replying to a question, the education adviser said there was no possibility of advancing parliamentary elections in October because of the factor of preparation. He, however, said elections for local bodies would not put any impact on national elections, slated for December.
The BKP proposed election of President by people's direct vote or vote of electoral colleges comprising people's elected representatives from various tiers-like Union Porishod, municipality, Upazila and parliament.
It also strongly advocated for holding all local-government elections, including Upazila polls, before the general election, or Upazila and parliamentary elections on the same day.
Gen Ibrahim proposed that ethnic groups be invited to take part in the dialogue process and asked for inviting Bangladesh Hindu League, the only political party representing Hindu community, which has already appealed to the Chief Adviser in this regard.
He also suggested inviting Christian and Buddhist communities under coverage of civil society as the people of the two religions have no political party of their own.
The other proposals in their nine-point proposition put forward in the dialogue include comprehensive administrative reforms, balance of power between MP and Minister, Ministers and Prime Minister, and Prime Minister and President.