Dr Kamal for dialogue with civil society, professionals

Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said dialogue should be held with civil society, non-communal parties and professional groups apart from the major political parties to bring about qualitative changes in the country through a credible election.
"Dialogue with the civil society is needed to deal with the problems like the price hike of essentials," Dr Kalam told a discussion on "National Unity in the Context of Mohan Ekushey" organised by the party at its Motijheel central office.
Stressing the need for meaningful changes in nomination and election process, Dr Kamal said if these could not be ensured people are unlikely to get the power they deserve. It's the people who will control the state. "Time has come to stamp out criminality, militancy and the influence of black money from the country to ensure basic rights of the people."
Dr Kamal said the historic incidents of 1952, 1954, 1966, 1969, 1971 and 1990 proved that nothing could defeat the people when they got united. "A mass upsurge is needed for a meaningful change."
He said an unholy clique is still active in the country that wants simply an election counter to the expectation of the people. "We have to be aware of that unholy clique."
Emphasising the inspiration of February 21 in the national life, the eminent jurist said like in 1952, crossing all the hurdles, unity will have to be forged for ensuring people's power.
Dr Kamal reminded the Election Commission that its constitutional duty is to protect the interests of the country's 15 crore people, not only the interests of the major political parties.
Gono Forum presidium member Pankaj Bhattachariya said they will hold dialogue with Jono Sanghati Samity as part of his party's planned dialogue with the political parties, civil society and professional groups.
The discussion was addressed, among others, by Advocate Zahirul Islam, Mofijul Islam Kamal, Abdur Rouf and Mostafa Mohsin Montu.