Leaders of 4 parties give speeches on BTV

Leaders of four political parties last night gave electoral speeches broadcast on the state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV), all pledging to work for building a better Bangladesh if they are voted to power.
Workers' Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon said they try to implement their 24-point manifesto, which included formulation of the national democratic development policy and ending communalism.
He also said the immediate past government, of which it was a part, had many achievements though those were marred due to the Padma bridge scam, share market scandal, and extortion.
General Secretary of Jatiya Samjtantrik Dal Sharif Nurul Ambia said as a part of the 14-party alliance, they admitted that there was a lack of good governance and failure in preventing corruption during the tenure of the past government.
Ambia said JSD was participating in the election to establish good governance and the rule of law. He then cited from the party's 31-point electoral pledge which includes trial of war criminals, strengthening anti-terrorism activities, and strengthening local government.
Anwar Hossain Manju, chairman of Jatiya Party (JP-Manju), said that if the January 5 election was foiled, a new problem would arise after January 24.
He emphasised development of human resources through building a skilled and educated workforce. In this regard, he said, his party's goal was to introduce an all-inclusive education system.
SM Abul Kalam Azad, coordinator of the newly registered Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF), said his party believed in mixed economy based on proper distribution system where the fundamental rights of people would be protected.