Help flourish democracy thru\\\' dialogue with govt

President Abdul Hamid appealed on Wednesday to the parties that boycotted the 10th parliamentary elections to help flourish democracy through dialogue with the government, reports BSS.
"I appeal to the parties that boycotted the 10th parliamentary elections to help build a consensus by shunning the path of confrontation and anarchy. Please help democracy flourish through dialogue with the government," he said in his address at the first session of the 10th parliament.
The President told the parties to extend cooperation in enhancing the image of Bangladesh by leaving the company of communal and terrorist organisations. "Please contribute towards establishing a tolerant democratic system by removing hatred, violence and confrontation from politics."
He said the politics of terrorism and hatred carried out in the name of movement for changing the election procedure cannot bring welfare to the country, society and economy. Rather, it plunges the political environment into darkness, he said.
Despite numerous adversities, he said, the 10th Jatiya Sangsad constituted through a free and impartial election held on January 5 shall be an ever-vigilant sentinel of democracy, rule of law and constitutional continuity.
For the first time, the President said an elected government handed over power to another elected government by upholding the constitution. "This has been a remarkable achievement in the area of democratic continuity," he said.
Noting that peace and prosperity can't sustain without national consensus, the President said, "I would like to make a fervent appeal for a collective initiative to forge a consensus irrespective of political parties, classes and professions on fundamental issues like continuation of democracy, rule of law and sustained socio-economic growth," he added.
The President said artificial divisions and apprehensions may be generated from conspiracies to sabotage democracy as well as ill-efforts to hinder the trial of war criminals.
Alongside the government, the opposition also has an important role to play in building the country, he said adding, "It is saddening to note that the desired cooperation was not extended by all parties in this endeavour.
Irresponsible conduct of some opposition political parties has repeatedly obstructed the development march of the nation, the President observed.
Abdul Hamid urged the countrymen to be vigilant and alert so that the progress of democracy, attained at the cost of so many sacrifices, is not thwarted.
"We wish to celebrate the birth centenary of our Father of the Nation in 2020 and the golden jubilee of independence in 2021 by transforming Bangladesh into a prosperous country free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy," the president said.
President Abdul Hamid said the basic spirit of the constitution of 1972 has been revived through the 15th amendment of the constitution. "Through this, the four fundamental principles of our great liberation war led by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, namely Bangalee nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism have been restored," he said.
Some opposition political parties, he said, resorted to non- cooperation and confrontation since the assumption of office by the grand alliance government in 2009. "They became desperate to save the war criminals after the commencement of their trial.  They continuously boycotted the parliament and did not cooperate in the initiative of amending the constitution," he said.
He said late President Md. Zillur Rahman constituted the Election Commission on the basis of discussions held with all political parties and upon the recommendations of a search committee.
The then opposition rejected the invitation of the Prime Minister for a dialogue in order to reach a consensus on the issue of forming an election-time government, the President said adding the election-time government was formed with the participation of other political parties against the backdrop of non- cooperation by the main opposition party.
Referring to violence, unleashed during and after the 10th parliament elections, the President said massive damages have been inflicted on the lives and property of those who believe in the spirit of liberation war as well as those belonging to minority communities.
Abdul Hamid said by re-electing this government, people have given them the mandate for building a Bangladesh in the light of the spirit of liberation war, free from hunger, poverty, terrorism and communalism.
He said a fresh spirit has been infused in various spheres of national life after the assumption of office by the newly formed government.
The President believed the government would be able to sustain good governance and development in all spheres of national life as well as to maintain peace, discipline and stability in state and social life by eliminating militancy, terrorism and communalism.
Expressing the hope that by maintaining the present trend of advancement and prosperity through formulation and implementation of a long-term development strategy, he said, "Bangladesh will be able to achieve the status of a middle-income country by 2021 where it will be possible to raise our per capita income from the present USD 1044 to USD 1500, rate of growth from the present 6.2 to 10 per cent and reduce the poverty rate from the present 26.4 to 13 per cent."
Abdul Hamid underscored the need for generating employment opportunities and enhancing civic facilities in the villages to curb the trend of migration from villages to towns saying, "Upazila headquarters and industrial centers should be swiftly upgraded to modern townships and satellite towns."
The president observed that corruption has decreased over the past five years due to qualitative changes brought in the field of prevention of corruption.
During the five years from 2009 to 2013, the President said the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina succeeded in bringing about significant improvements in almost all macroeconomic indicators.
Against the backdrop of ongoing crisis in the global economy, slow pace of economic recovery in developed countries and adverse circumstances in domestic front, he said Bangladesh has succeeded in maintaining a trend of sustained growth.
The President said rate of inflation is gradually decreasing and domestic and foreign investments have risen between 2009 and 2013. "The volume of export stood at 27 billion US dollar in 2012-13 fiscal compared to 14.11 billion US dollar five years ago," he said. (Incomplete)