Bangladesh News

There is no alternative to democracy for overcoming the crises that are plaguing the country, and holding of a free, fair and credible election will be the first step in that direction, said former advisers to caretaker governments, political leaders, renowned jurists, journalists and eminent citizens yesterday.

Emphasising on dialogues among political parties for finding a common ground for leading the country following the upcoming election, they said an elected parliament is the only exit the present government can hope for.

The opinions were expressed by discussants at a roundtable titled ‘the future of democracy in Bangladesh’ organised by the Daily Manabjamin in the National Press Club marking one year of publication of weekly magazine Janatar Chokh, the daily’s subsidiary.

Barrister Rafique ul Huq, Dr Akbar Ali Khan, Dr Kamal Hossain, Amir Hossain Amu, Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, Matia Chowdhury, Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Mujahidul Islam Selim, Rashed Khan Menon, Ferdaus Ahmed Quarishi, Hasanul Haque Inu, Dilip Barua, Nurul Kabir, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Barrister Abdur Razzak, Mahfuz Ullah, and Anisul Haque took part in the discussion among others.

Mohammad Asafuddowlah presented the keynote paper at the discussion moderated by Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul. Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, chief editor of Manabjamin, delivered the welcome speech while the daily’s editor Mahbuba Chowdhury delivered the vote of thanks.

Former adviser to a caretaker government Akbar Ali Khan said the country is facing an emergency situation both in political and economic sectors. “Prices of essentials are far beyond the reach of the people and the country will face a serious economic crisis if the status quo continues,” he said adding, the future of democracy also depends on the economy.

He also said democratic governments can face economic crises more effectively.

Eminent jurist Barrister Rafique ul Huq said the rule of law should be established in the country, and democracy can never flourish without an independent judiciary. “Political parties also have to promise that they will never boycott the parliament, and say what they have to say in there,” he said adding, what the country had in the last 30 years was not democracy.

“The election cannot be held under the emergency and I hope the government will lift it on March 26, the Independence Day” he added.

Criticising the ‘interference of foreign diplomats in the country’s internal affairs’, he said, “We should not encourage such behaviours.”

Urging for a participatory democracy in the country, Dr Kamal Hossain said the people will not accept anything but democracy. “Come together to hold a meaningful election so that we will not lose our achievements like before after the election,” he said.

Referring to the recent remark of the law adviser that the country’s constitution does not allow formation of a national unity government, Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Amir Hossain Amu asked whether the adviser’s appointment itself is in line with the constitution.

He said his party is planning to hold dialogues with the components of the grand alliance it had formed earlier, in a bid to go to the proposed dialogues with the government with common proposals.

AL Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury said political parties cannot be reformed without democracy.

LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed said political parties should carefully lead the country to the election.

There are confusions among the people about the ongoing anti-corruption drive and the stalled 9th parliamentary election, he said adding, no innocent people should be harassed while no corruptionist should be allowed to escape.

Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangaldesh, said only through a democratic revolution, the country’s democracy can be strengthened.

He also said activities of some foreign diplomats are also creating obstacles on the way to democracy.

Throwing out the viability of the concept of a national unity government, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said there is no scope for that before holding of the election.

He also said the current government proved itself as incompetent, adding that an election and an elected parliament are the only way out for it.