Caretaker chief should be acceptable to all parties
BDB, Oikya Mancha say
Staff Corespondent
Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) and Jatiya Oikya Mancha yesterday resolutely expressed the view that the head of a caretaker government should be acceptable to all political parties and the chief election commissioner must be appointed through discussion with them. BDB President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Oikya Mancha President Dr Kamal Hossain made their parties' stand on the issues clear at a joint press conference at the Jatiya Press Club. The current movement by the opposition parties will force the government to go for reforms in the caretaker government and the Election Commission (EC), the two leaders said. "The caretaker government system must be reformed to make it acceptable to all," said Badruddoza. Responding to a question Dr Kamal said, "People want reforms in caretaker government and empowerment of the election commission in the interest of the country." Asked why they are yet to specify the reforms, the BDB chief said they will soon put forward reform proposals on caretaker government. In reply to a question if his party will join the main opposition Awami League's movement for reforms in caretaker government system, he said, "There might be unity on some issues but that will depend on the situation in future." Dr Kamal, also president of the Gono Forum, suggested that all political parties, including the ruling BNP, should reach a consensus on caretaker government reforms for the betterment of the country. Both the leaders demanded financial independence of the EC and introduction of voter identity cards to ensure free and fair elections. The nation is now closely watching how the EC conducts the Chittagong City Corporation elections tomorrow, Dr Kamal said. He alleged that ministers from the BNP-led ruling alliance are trying to influence the CCC election by using state facilities. Dr Kamal blamed the state minister for home for 'crossfire' incidents and said he should resign 50 times for his failure to stop extra-judicial killings. Badruddoza said the government is killing petty criminals to save their godfathers. On the 'people's manifesto programme' initiated by the BDB and the Oikya Mancha last year, he said, " The programme has not been finalised as yet. We will launch it soon." MA Mannan, secretary general of the BDB, read out the joint statement of the two parties. Gono Forum General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Manik and BDB Organising Secretary Mahi B Chowdhury, MP, were present at the press conference.
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