BNP, AL chiefs urged to allow their parties to join dialogue
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Oli Ahmed Saturday urged the two detained former premieres to allow their parties to join the ongoing government-sponsored dialogue and the upcoming elections "without disrupting democracy", reports UNB.
He also urged the caretaker government to declare specific date of the general election without delay prior to local-government elections for removing doubts from people's mind.
"I hope that the two chiefs of the two parties (Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina) will allow their respective parties to participate in the government's dialogue," retired colonel Oli said while addressing a function where activists joined LDP at his party office Saturday afternoon.
He said it would not be right for the politicians to create bar to the democratic process in the country as he said if the democracy was disrupted, they would have to pay dearly in the future.
Saying that the country at present was passing through a critical juncture, the LDP president said the whole nation was now expecting the holding of a free, fair and acceptable election. "There is no alternative to election in the country."
About the schedule of the election, Mr Oli Ahmed said the caretaker government should immediately declare the specific date of the national elections, as it would help in removing the prevailing confusion among the people.
He said the government's responsibility was not to determine who would be elected in the election-the people of the country would determine it. About the corrupt he urged the government to take appropriate steps against them following the laws of the land and release the innocent political leaders and workers from detention.
Apprehending tough days ahead, he urged the government to demonstrate its farsightedness dealing with the corrupt with a strong hand because otherwise they could get out of jail in future dodging judicial process. "The corrupt are stronger in the country," he said.
Oli Ahmed called upon the caretaker government to take measures for striking a balance of power between the Prime Minister and the President through amending some laws.
He also urged the caretaker government to declare specific date of the general election without delay prior to local-government elections for removing doubts from people's mind.
"I hope that the two chiefs of the two parties (Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina) will allow their respective parties to participate in the government's dialogue," retired colonel Oli said while addressing a function where activists joined LDP at his party office Saturday afternoon.
He said it would not be right for the politicians to create bar to the democratic process in the country as he said if the democracy was disrupted, they would have to pay dearly in the future.
Saying that the country at present was passing through a critical juncture, the LDP president said the whole nation was now expecting the holding of a free, fair and acceptable election. "There is no alternative to election in the country."
About the schedule of the election, Mr Oli Ahmed said the caretaker government should immediately declare the specific date of the national elections, as it would help in removing the prevailing confusion among the people.
He said the government's responsibility was not to determine who would be elected in the election-the people of the country would determine it. About the corrupt he urged the government to take appropriate steps against them following the laws of the land and release the innocent political leaders and workers from detention.
Apprehending tough days ahead, he urged the government to demonstrate its farsightedness dealing with the corrupt with a strong hand because otherwise they could get out of jail in future dodging judicial process. "The corrupt are stronger in the country," he said.
Oli Ahmed called upon the caretaker government to take measures for striking a balance of power between the Prime Minister and the President through amending some laws.