Businesses ask parties to shun vindictive politics to end crisis
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) urged Awami League (AL) and BNP to give up vindictive politics and to resolve the country's prevailing crises through discussions, at an iftar party where senior leaders of both political parties were present.
FBCCI President Annisul Huq urged the parties to announce a charter for building a nation free of confrontational politics, and for accelerating the pace of the country's economic growth before the national poll on December 18.
The iftar party organised by FBCCI was in Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.
Leaders of the two major parties however did not respond well to the FBCCI call.
"I am short of hearing lately, so I could not understand the speeches of the businessmen. I will be able to respond better, if I get a written proposal," BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain quipped to reporters afterwards.
”There is logic to having discussions, but there are some specific pledges of the parties too. Those who forged alliance with fundamentalist anti-liberation forces, unity with them is not possible, and dialogues with them will also not be successful," said AL Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed.
He however said there can be a consensus on national issues, but in the parliament.
In addition to leaders of AL and BNP, civil society representatives, editors of newspapers and the electronic media, and entrepreneurs attended the event.
The gathering was aimed at creating congenial feelings among the leaders of the two parties ahead of the national election.
AL Presidium Member Amir Hossain Amu and BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain were seen sitting next to each other.
After the iftar, AL and BNP leaders were also seen shaking hands.
"Another chance is coming this December for bringing a lot of positive changes, to build a new future for the nation. It's only you who can do that. Let's not miss the train," Annisul Huq said in his welcome address.
The FBCCI chief demanded from the parties an effective and transparent parliament, continuing clear stand against corruptionists, an accountable and neutral civil administration, and promises of shunning hartals and strikes.
"This is high time for starting a politics of change for building a better Bangladesh," he said adding, "We want you to be visionaries and more tolerant than before," he added.
Barrister Rafiq -ul Huq, who recently took an initiative to bring AL President Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to a discussion table, said his mission seemed already partly successful as senior leaders of the two parties sat together yesterday.
"I sincerely expect the two top leaders will sit together for a discussion, as both already gave their consent," he said adding, "Today senior leaders of the two parties have reduced the gap by coming here."
Talking to reporters about the government proposed all-party policy summit, Delwar said they have no objection to sitting with other parties to reach a national consensus on crucial national issues.
But, AL's Tofail Ahmed opposed the policy summit, saying such a meeting ahead of the parliamentary poll is unrealistic.
Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Motia Chowdhury, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Abul Mal Abdul Muhith, Asaduzzaman Noor, Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Abdul Mannan, and Dr Hasan Mahmud were present from AL while from BNP Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, RA Gani, MK Anwar, Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman, Abdullah Al Noman, Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah, Barkat Ullah Bulu, and Moazzem Hossain Alal were present.
AL Acting President Zillur Rahman and Syed Ashraful Islam did not attend the event although they had accepted the invitation.
From the civil society, CPD Chairman Prof Rehman Sobhan, Barrister Rafique-ul Huq, Abdullah Abu Sayeed, former advisers to caretaker governments Mahbubul Alam and CM Shafi Sami, economists Dr Atiur Rahman and Abu Ahmed, editors and senior journalists Ataus Samad, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Golam Sarwar, Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, Abed Khan, Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Shaymol Dutta, Moazzem Hossain, and Naimul Islam Khan were present among others.
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