Bangladesh News

Communication Adviser Ghulam Quader yesterday asserted that the government would not force the political parties to adopt a national charter if they do not reach a consensus on it.

“Nothing will be imposed on them if the political parties cannot reach a consensus,” the adviser of the caretaker government told reporters yesterday while replying to a query.

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, in his address to the nation on Monday stressed the need to adopt a national charter through consensus of the government, political parties, representatives of all groups and professionals to establish a proper and fair electoral framework “which will help launch a healthy and stable democratic process in the country”.

Expressing his firm belief that they would reach consensus on important national issues during the political dialogue, the CA underscored the need to give the national consensus a moral compulsion and permanent shape by signing a national charter.

Talking to reporters at his ministry yesterday, the communications adviser brushed off any apprehension of the next parliamentary election’s being farcical.

“You’ll see, the whole world will see an election totally flawless which will not give rise to any question. It will be a fair election,” Ghulam Quader said when a reporter pointed out an allegation that the government is going to hold a farcical election.

Asked whether the caretaker government wants the old leadership of political parties to go, the adviser said, “Apart from those whose roles have come under question, anyone from the old leadership and new leaderships will participate. We want a just society.”

Responding to a criticism of the CA’s speech because he made absolutely no mention of price hike of essentials, Ghulam said, “What can be said? It cannot be brought down, that is the reality.”

When reporters pointed out politicians’ negative criticism of the CA’s speech, Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman said: “We colleagues in the cabinet understand that there is no matter of taking decision immediately acting on each of the reactions, the key issue is that we have to move forward.”

Zillur said the government is now focusing on the next step, holding political dialogue from May 22.