Govt to consider if EC seeks party registration deadline extension Ashraf for political consensus on nat'l issues
Monday, 27 July 2009
Awami League (AL) spokesperson and Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Syed Ashraful Islam Sunday said the government would actively consider the issue if the Election Commission (EC) came up with a plea for extending the deadline for the registration of political parties, reports UNB.
"The EC is yet to come up with the plea. If it comes up with a formal proposal the government will consider it actively," he said quoting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
While talking to the reporters at his office, the newly elected AL general secretary said they did not want to see any political party remaining out of registration simply for time constraint and legal bindings.
This was Ashraful's first working day in the secretariat after the AL council. Earlier, he exchanged sweets with his colleagues in the office.
The AL leader, who played a significant role after the 1/11 changeover, said the government was sincere about bringing social changes by eradicating corruption and other vices that afflict the society.
"Political consensus is essential to bring about the desired social changes," he said.
He added: "We don't want to go back to previous politics. We don't want to see corruption, extortion, murder and anarchy in society in the name of politics… we need political support from all parties to bring about the social changes."
Replying to a question, Ashraf said all sectors including the judiciary and administration became controversial after the 1/11 changeover.
"We were responsible for this… we invited the peril ourselves," he said adding that the government was working to bring about positive changes in every sector.
Appreciating the key rival BNP for accepting AL's invitation to join its just held party council, the new AL general secretary said a time would come when AL leaders would address the BNP council and similarly the BNP leaders would address the AL council.
"We failed to agree on different national issues such as the trial of war criminals. There should be national consensus for the welfare of the nation. I hope the platform of national consensus will get stronger in the coming days," he said.
Highlighting the recently held AL council, Ashraf said the party activities would be geared up further following the council. "Party and the government would be run separately. Party will monitor the government activities while the government will implement the party manifesto," he added.
He thinks that they could hold the council within the shortest time due to "wonderful teamwork" guided by party President Sheikh Hasina.
The AL general secretary thanked the print media for wider coverage of the AL council and said the television channels could have arranged more programmes on the council.
"The EC is yet to come up with the plea. If it comes up with a formal proposal the government will consider it actively," he said quoting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
While talking to the reporters at his office, the newly elected AL general secretary said they did not want to see any political party remaining out of registration simply for time constraint and legal bindings.
This was Ashraful's first working day in the secretariat after the AL council. Earlier, he exchanged sweets with his colleagues in the office.
The AL leader, who played a significant role after the 1/11 changeover, said the government was sincere about bringing social changes by eradicating corruption and other vices that afflict the society.
"Political consensus is essential to bring about the desired social changes," he said.
He added: "We don't want to go back to previous politics. We don't want to see corruption, extortion, murder and anarchy in society in the name of politics… we need political support from all parties to bring about the social changes."
Replying to a question, Ashraf said all sectors including the judiciary and administration became controversial after the 1/11 changeover.
"We were responsible for this… we invited the peril ourselves," he said adding that the government was working to bring about positive changes in every sector.
Appreciating the key rival BNP for accepting AL's invitation to join its just held party council, the new AL general secretary said a time would come when AL leaders would address the BNP council and similarly the BNP leaders would address the AL council.
"We failed to agree on different national issues such as the trial of war criminals. There should be national consensus for the welfare of the nation. I hope the platform of national consensus will get stronger in the coming days," he said.
Highlighting the recently held AL council, Ashraf said the party activities would be geared up further following the council. "Party and the government would be run separately. Party will monitor the government activities while the government will implement the party manifesto," he added.
He thinks that they could hold the council within the shortest time due to "wonderful teamwork" guided by party President Sheikh Hasina.
The AL general secretary thanked the print media for wider coverage of the AL council and said the television channels could have arranged more programmes on the council.