Political parties hail speech with some reservations

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Hailing the announcement of election dates, political parties last night said it will help dispel confusion and doubts over holding of the long-stalled parliamentary polls.

They however expressed mixed reaction over the chief adviser’s observations about the state of emergency. While some welcomed his plans regarding withdrawal of emergency curbs, others criticised him for not being specific about the matter.

Besides, a few parties voiced concern about the dates for upazila and general elections being too close.

Talking to reporters at his Gulshan residence, AL acting president Zillur Rahman said it is a good speech to listen to. But it is more rhetorical than substantive.

“Awami League has long been demanding complete lifting of the state of emergency, but that demand has not been met.”

He said they would continue to demand full withdrawal of the emergency rules.

About upazila polls, Zillur said the local government elections within five days of the parliamentary polls might lead to violence and anarchy across the country.

AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam however gave an appreciative reaction to Fakhruddin Ahmed’s address.

Talking to The Daily Star last night, he said, “We are very happy with this announcement. We thank the chief adviser, Election Commission and the council of advisers.”

He continued, “We also appreciate the chief adviser for talking about an election to be participated by the two major parties and their chiefs. Hopefully, there will be no obstacle to holding the national election in a free and fair manner.”

Now that the polls date has been fixed, he said, AL will start taking all-out preparation for election from today.

The AL acting general secretary said they will come up with a formal reaction today after discussions at party forum.

According to him, all doubts and uncertainties have been removed and conspiracies over the election stopped.

About the state of emergency, Ashraf said it should not be a “big” problem for the political parties as the chief adviser has clarified the government’s plans in this regard.

He said, “We are happy as the both the government and the Election Commission have met our logical demand for holding the national election first.”

BNP Standing Committee member Chowdhury Tanbir Ahmed Siddiky said the chief adviser has realised their demand and accepted the reality.

“The government has accepted the politicians’ logic. I think the chief adviser has realised the desires and expectations of the people,” he told The Daily Star.

On lifting of the state of emergency, he said, “There are enough indications in the chief adviser’s speech about lifting of the state of emergency before the election.”

Welcoming the CA’s speech, Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad said it reflects good intention of the caretaker government towards holding a free and fair election.

“He [the chief adviser] has announced the polls date in line with the electoral roadmap. We are happy that he has also announced the upazila polls date,” Ershad told The Daily Star, also expressing satisfaction over holding of the national election under relaxed emergency.

Jamaat-e-Islami acting Secretary General Muhammad Kamaruzzaman said by announcing the date for holding the national election first, the government has shown respect for public opinion.

He however expressed doubts about the possibility of holding upazila polls in a close timeframe between December 24 and 28.

He demanded complete withdrawal of emergency rules, saying it is not possible to hold free and fair election under the state of emergency.

Workers’ Party President Rashed Khan Menon said the chief adviser’s speech would dispel all doubts centring holding of the national election.

Menon, who is a key-leader in the AL-led 14-party combine, told The Daily Star that holding of the national election first is a positive sign. “But what the chief adviser said about lifting of the state of emergency is not acceptable,” he said.

Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain declined to give any reaction before holding a meeting with party leaders today.

Bangladesh Kalyan Party Chairman Major Gen (retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim said his party warmly welcomes announcement of the national polls date.

“It reflects sincerity and determination of the government, the Election Commission and the patriotic armed forces that supported the government towards holding a free and fair election,” he told The Daily Star.

Abdul Latif Nezami, secretary general of a faction of Islami Oikya Jote, said they hope that the government would be able to hold the election on the announced date. The component of the BNP-led four-party alliances demanded complete lifting of emergency.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Annisul Huq welcomed the chief adviser’s speech and said announcing the date for national election is a definitive move towards restoration of democracy.

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